Dover man nabbed in hit-run that killed veteran's service dog

Jesse A. Gosselin (Police photo)

BERWICK, Maine - A Dover, N.H., man was arrested Monday in the hit-and-run crash that killed a service dog in Berwick last weekend.

Jesse A. Gosselin, 23, was charged with leaving the scene of a property damage accident and operating after license suspension. Gosselin was also arrested on an unrelated outstanding warrant issued by Springvale District Court for failing to pay a fine for operating after suspension.

The investigation into Saturday afternoon's hit-and-run led police to a Cranberry Meadow Road residence where a car matching the description of the vehicle involved in the accident was located and exhibited evidence of a fairly recent minor accident.

After several interviews at the residence and the Berwick Police Station, Gosselin was arrested and later transported to York County Jail with bail being set at $1150 cash.

According to a Berwick Police press release, Gosselin was driving a 1999 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight west on Cemetery Road when he observed a pedestrian walking their dog in the area. The owner of seven-year-old service dog Sophia, veteran Brian Drake, was standing at his mailbox getting his mail when it appears that Sophia was attempting to protect her owner and collided with Gosselin's vehicle. Gosselin initially slowed after the accident but panicked due to the fact he knew his privilege to operate was under suspension as well as being aware of the pending warrant for his arrest. Police say Gosselin was very remorseful while providing a full confession of the crimes.

Meanwhile, the Berwick American Legion Post #79 is creating a fund for the Drake Family and individuals looking to assist may contact Legion members Ron Vigue or Andy Buckman at RonV2@comact.net or Jabuck194@comcast.net