Man Faces Domestic Violence Charges After Alleged Assault on I-295

A man who allegedly assaulted a woman inside her car while she drove on I-295 in Southern Maine is now facing domestic assault charges.

Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland says the incident happened at around 8 p.m. Wednesday along Interstate 295 in South Portland.

Troopers say 53-year-old Derek Zimmerman allegedly assaulted a woman inside her car while she was driving. He allegedly tried to take her purse and cell phone before fleeing on foot across four lanes of traffic and into nearby woods.

Assisted by a South Portland police dog, Zimmerman was tracked down at a local motel. He was charged with domestic violence assault and obstructing the report of a crime and taken to the Cumberland County Jail.

The woman suffered a bloody nose but didn't require medical attention. Zimmerman was treated and released for injuries he sustained from running through the woods.