The College had hired the town ambulance Maxted stole during last year's Night Release. Maxted drove the ambulance through the freshman and social dorm quads but was not apprehended by police officers. An anonymous source later turned Maxted in to the Campus Police, who called him in for questioning. Maxted admitted his guilt and wrote a statement of confession.
Town Fire Chief Keith Hoyle said that he remains upset with Maxted's actions. "I'm still agitated about the incident. The fact that somebody's drunk doesn't excuse him from stealing an emergency vehicle, and I hope nobody in the community, drunk or not, would ever consider doing so," he said.
Hoyle pointed out that, in at least one case, the loss of the ambulance deprived someone of immediate care because an ambulance from another town had to be called in. "I don't think any amount of money can compensate for the loss of the ambulance and the delay in assistance," Hoyle added.
Maxted's court sentence includes a yearlong probation period, fifty hours of community service and the loss of his driver's license for sixty days. He has also been ordered to pay $5,120 in restitution and $660 in court costs.
As part of his sentence, Maxted may not consume alcohol for one year, a condition that will be enforced through random testing. If Maxted successfully completes his probation period, by staying out of trouble for one year, the charge of unauthorized use of an official motor vehicle will be dropped from his record. However, the reckless driving conviction will remain as a permanent part of his record.
Maxted was also charged with inhibiting a firefighter in performance, which is a felony.
"They had to drop the charge because it was unfounded. There were no firefighters around," Maxted said.
According to Maxted, the charge was brought against him at the request of Hoyle, who was upset over the content of an anonymous interview in The Student about the incident. Hoyle wrote a letter to Chief of Town Police Charles Scherpa requesting that the felony charge be added, according to Maxted.
In addition to his court sentence, the College suspended Maxted for one year. In order to return to the College next year, he will have to interview with the deans and demonstrate that he deserves to be readmitted. Maxted, who will return to his home in Durango, Colo. during the academic year, said he plans to get a job in order to pay restitution for the ambulance.
"I think it's a fair punishment," Maxted said. "Looking back, of course, I have regrets. All of these consequences will have an effect on my life."