PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — A two-vehicle crash on the Caribou Road Dec. 28, claimed the life of a Caribou man.
The Presque Isle Police Department received a call at approximately 6:04 p.m. reporting a head-on motor vehicle collision had occurred on U.S. Route 1 (Caribou Road) about a mile and a half south of the Caribou town line. Crown Ambulance and the Presque Isle Fire Department, as well as several outside law enforcement agencies, responded to assist Sgt. Joey Seeley and officers from the PIPD.
“The victim, Harold Walker, 61, of Caribou, was southbound in a 2006 Chrysler van registered to Central Aroostook ARC. Leslie Pelletier, 45, of Limestone, was traveling north in a 2005 Chevrolet truck when she lost control of her vehicle, crossed the centerline and struck Walker’s vehicle head-on,” said Seeley.
Walker had three passengers with him at the time of the accident identified only as an ARC staff member and two clients. Pelletier was the sole occupant of the truck. The group was reportedly traveling from Caribou to Presque Isle for an outing. Central Aroostook ARC is a non-profit social services agency that serves about 130 clients with developmental disabilities.
Seeley worked closely with emergency personnel to extricate the victims.
“It was dark by that time of the night and I had to hold the light for firefighters so they could see what they were doing. They worked quickly, using hydraulic equipment to rip the van apart to get to Mr. Walker and the other victims,” said Seeley. “They had them out in a matter of minutes.”
Crown transported a total of five individuals to The Aroostook Medical Center. A short time after arriving at the hospital, Walker succumbed to his injuries. The other individuals, including Pelletier, were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Seeley said all individuals were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the collision.
The accident left travelers seeking alternate routes for nearly three hours.
“The Caribou Road was closed for nearly three hours as the accident was investigated and vehicles cleared from the scene. Both vehicles were considered a total loss and were towed from the scene by Cowett’s Towing Service of Presque Isle.
Road conditions were considered a factor in the crash.
“The primary cause of the accident was driving too fast for road conditions,” said Seeley.
Assisting Seeley with the reconstruction was Officer Peter Johnson, of the PIPD, and Ryan Fitzpatrick, Maine Warden Service. Also assisting with the investigation were: PIPD Officers Cole Chandler, Larry Fickett and Danielle Levesque; Trooper Fred Thomas, Maine State Police; Agent John Maynard, off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Officer Jay Trainer, Caribou Police Department. The Maine Department of Transportation also assisted with blocking off the road, which was blocked from the time of the accident until it was cleared for through traffic shortly after 9 p.m.
No charges were expected in connection with the incident.
“This was an unfortunate accident. Winter is here and with it comes unpredictable road conditions. Operators need to adjust their driving to accommodate for road conditions, including reducing speed,” said Seeley.
