
Maine man’s ski resort stunt in his Subaru Impreza leads to $45k in damages
If you close your eyes and picture a stereotypical Subaru driver, you probably picture a hipster from Colorado driving an older Outback with his rescue dog, talking about visiting a local brewery to try the latest IPA. He’s likely brushing the remnants of a $14 pastry made from a locally owned bakery from his well-groomed beard, too.
Or, you pictured a bratty young kid from California in a WRX that his parents bought for him, playing Kendrick Lamar from an upgraded sound system, vaping behind the wheel as he passes you, leaving you in the wake of his loud exhaust.
Those are two of the most popular stereotypes for Subaru drivers, but you’re missing the third: the kind that takes their Impreza through the gates of a ski resort, up a ski slope, and then crashes it into a ski lift scan gate.
That’s exactly what Jesse Bates, a Mexico, Maine native, did to Sunday River Resort in Newry, Maine. The Oxford County Sheriff’s Office said he caused “significant damage” to the ski slope behind South Ridge Lodge, as well as large ruts in the slope from the Subaru’s tires.
After he crashed into the ski lift scan gate, he fled the scene, causing around $45,000 in damages, reported WGME.
Authorities tracked him and his Subaru down in Mexico
Surely he thought he got away with it—but you can’t cause damage to a property largely inhabited and occupied by the wealthy and get away with it. Maine authorities tracked Bates down at his home in Mexico and apprehended him.
Authorities charged him with aggravated criminal mischief and violating conditions of release.
Investigators are still determining whether he as intoxicated or under the influence during the incident.
Locals said the damage was worse than the outlet let on
Redditors on the r/icecoast page were shocked the outlet didn’t provide more details about the damage. One said they were able to witness the carnage firsthand.
“I was there this weekend and saw the aftermath. The lifties said he drove down from the condos, around the Chondola, slammed into the gate at the South Ridge Quad, and then went on a joyride all over the mountain,” they wrote. “Guy must have been drunk as hell.”
Another commenter praised the resort for restoring the slopes so quickly.
“I saw the gate was damaged and just thought it was from the crazy wind and it bashed into something. Groomers had long fixed his tracks,” they wrote. “
Someone else couldn’t help but joke about it being a Subaru.
“It’s what makes a Subaru, a Subaru,” their comment read.