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Man charged with hit-and-run appears in court

By Edward D. Murphy Portland Press Herald Staff Writer July 08, 2008 03:02 PM

ALFRED — Jason Brooks, who is accused of leaving the scene of a fatal accident last month, made an initial appearance today in York County Superior Court.

Brooks, of Saco, remained free on bail on the felony charge after the hearing, at which no plea was entered, said Mark Lawrence, York County's district attorney.

Lawrence said Brooks was also barred from driving by the court.

Brooks is accused of leaving the scene after hitting Deborah Archer on May 27 while she was walking her dogs along Route 9. He told police that he "had a bad pain in his head" and looked away from the road when he hit Archer, according to a police affidavit. He then drove to Somersworth, N.H., where he called his father, Gordon Brooks, who picked him up and drove him home.

Jason Brooks attorney, Walter Smith, said Brooks has a mental disability.

Gordon Brooks has been charged with hindering apprehension, a misdemeanor.

The court set an Oct. 7 date for a status conference on both cases, Lawrence said.