LIVERMORE FALLS — A Jay man was arrested Friday after he failed to stop for a police officer and a passenger grabbed the steering wheel and turned the car into a snowbank on High Street, police said.

Officer Devon Bohacik arrested Samuel Farrington, 27, on misdemeanor charges of driving to endanger and failing to stop for a police officer. He also issued Farrington a summons on a charge of imprudent speed, police Chief Ernest Steward Jr. said Friday.

Bohacik was on Main Street and noticed a motor vehicle with a defect, and pulled in behind the car Farrington was driving on Depot Street at about 1 a.m., Steward said. Bohacik was waiting to find a safe place to stop the car, the chief said.

The car sped up and Bohacik flipped on his blue lights. Farrington continued to increase the speed, Steward said.

The car crossed Route 133 and took a left onto High Street. Bohacik saw the vehicle take a sharp right into a snowbank at the crest of a hill, Steward said.

Passenger Randall Lyons, 32, of Livermore Falls had grabbed the steering wheel, turning the car into a snowbank to stop it, Steward said.

Lyons and a second passenger, Evan Hilderbrann, 19, of Jay got out of the car with their hands in the air. Officer Bradlee Gallant interviewed the passengers, who told police they had asked Farrington to let them out of the car on Depot Street because he was speeding and did not stop for police, the chief said.

When police asked Farrington why he was driving so fast, he said, “’I don’t know,’” Steward said.

Farrington was arrested and taken to the police station. He was released on $60 cash bail.

The 2008 car is owned by Brittany Torres of Jay.

dperry@sunjournal.com