ROCKLAND — Judge Patricia Worth ordered Jeremy Stone of Rockport held on $20,000 cash bail Wednesday afternoon, during his initial appearance in Rockland District Court on charges related to a fatal hit-and-run car accident in Rockland Jan. 30.

According to court documents, Stone told police he hit something while driving, panicked and left the scene.

Stone is accused of driving while intoxicated and striking a pedestrian, 35-year-old Daniel F. Cormier of Rockland and Owls Head, while Cormier was walking along Camden Street (Route 1) in the vicinity of Pizza Hut. Stone is accused of fleeing the scene, and continuing drive south toward downtown Rockland. Two people walking with Cormier were not injured.

After Rockland Police and EMS arrived on scene, Cormier was taken to Pen Bay Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Stone, 40, has been held in Knox County Jail since his arrest. He was initially being held without bail on two outstanding warrants, and then his bail was set at $11,000 before his hearing Wednesday at 1 p.m.

According to the affidavit, the accident occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. that Friday, and Rockland officer Scott Redmun II responded. He was reportedly told at the scene that the vehicle that hit Cormier was silver in color, traveling south and did not stop, continuing into downtown.

Redmun said in the court document that he was approached on scene by a woman who stated she knew who was driving the vehicle. The woman told Redmun that she had received a call from Stone, her ex-husband, and during the conversation he told her the he "messed up and might have hit someone on Camden Street."

"[She] also said that Jeremy was in no shape to drive tonight," said Redmun in the document.

Redmun also learned that Stone was a residence in Rockland, with the vehicle involved.

Rockland Sgt. Don Finnegan and Detective Russ Thompson went to the residence, and saw that a light colored Jeep was in the driveway with fresh front end damage around the passenger side headlight.

The officers were met at the door and invited in, and inside Stone was standing in the living room. Finnegan sat down with Stone and the two talked, according to the document.

According to Finnegan, Stone said he had left his home in Rockport, and was driving to his friend's home, when he struck something with his vehicle. Stone said he wasn't sure what he hit, and that visibility was poor due to the rain. Stone said that he drove off, instead of staying at the scene, because he panicked.

Stone also allegedly admitted that the registration plates on the vehicle were illegally attached.

Stone also allegedly admitted that he had consumed three rum and ginger ale mixed drinks prior to the crash, and said he hadn't consumed any alcohol since the crash. He also said he is prescribed and regularly takes suboxone and klonopin, according to the court document.

"I asked Stone to rate how sober he felt on a scale from one to ten, with one feeling perfectly sober, and ten feeling falling down drunk. Stone said that he felt all right to drive earlier, and rated his sobriety then at a two or three. Stone said that he felt more sober now than he did earlier when he drove," said the court document.

This question and answer came after Finnegan wrote that he noted Stone's speech was slow, and that he could smell a strong odor of an alcohol while speaking with Stone.

The officer said that Stone's performance on tests for impairment indicated he was impaired. He also said he saw signs consistent with cannabis use, and when asked about it, Stone allegedly admitted consuming marijuana laced candy four days prior to the accident.

Stone was arrested and transported to Knox County Jail. A breath test at the jail revealed his breath alcohol content to be .09 percent. Blood and urine specimens were also collected for evidence, according to the court document.

Stone has been charged with aggravated criminal operating under the influence, class B, leaving the scene, class C, and improper plates, class E.

Stone was represented in court Wednesday afternoon by attorney Bill Pagnano, acting as defense attorney of the day. Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Baroody represented the state, and asked for a higher bail than originally set by a bail commissioner.

In addition to granting the higher bail, Worth approved the agreed-upon conditions that included no use or possession of alcohol or drugs, submitting to random searches for both, that the bail is reviewable and that a contract with Maine Pre-Trial be signed before Stone's release after posting the cash. Stone is also not allowed to operate any motor vehicle for any reason.

When asked by Worth if he planned to hire his own lawyer or seek an appointed lawyer, Stone said he would hire his own lawyer.

A status conference, Stone's next court appearance, has been scheduled for March 25 at 8:30 a.m.

Related story:

• UPDATED: Pedestrian identified in Rockland hit and run, driver held on $11,000 bail

To reach Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards, email hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com