Recent snow causes wrecks
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Wednesday’s weather — that left some wondering if the Easter Bunny was going to have to rely on his cousin, the Snowshoe Hare, to make his rounds on Sunday — caused several accidents in the Star City, as motorists found themselves slipping and sliding on the late-season snowfall.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
A LATE-SEASON STORM caused several accidents April 20, including this one at the intersection of Route 1 and the Spragueville Road, in Presque Isle, involving a 2004 Chevy Avalance operated by Wendy Kingsbury of Blaine and a 1999 Buick Century driven by Gail Thibault of Chapman. Officer Cole Chandler, PIPD, responded to investigate.
Less than five inches fell in the region, but it was enough to cause a few accidents.
The first was reported around 12:17 p.m. on the McBurnie Road. The Presque Isle Police Department was notified and Sgt. Eric Erickson responded to find Benjamin J. Sacco, 21, of Lebanon, had rolled his 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix as the result of poor road conditions. Sacco was not injured and the vehicle was towed by Jerry’s Towing. Crown ambulance also responded.
Another accident was reported a couple hours later. The PIPD received a report around 2:28 p.m. from the Caribou Ambulance Service that there was a car off the Houlton Road, just south of the Spragueville Road. Sgt. Erickson responded and found Joanne R. Holmes, 48, of Blaine, had gone off the road and that the vehicle was well off the roadway. No injuries were involved. Brewer’s, of Mars Hill, was called to tow the vehicle. Traffic was stopped briefly to allow for removal of Holmes’ 2004 Ford Freestar van.
While waiting for Brewer’s, Erickson reported to dispatch that another vehicle had skidded off the road right near the scene of the Holmes’ accident. The unidentified operator of a 2004 Hyundai Elantra called Jerry’s to be towed out. Erickson advised dispatch to contact MDOT to make them aware of the road conditions in the area.
A third accident reported at 4:27 p.m. resulted in one arrest. The PIPD received several calls about an accident at the Easton Road and Centerline Road intersection. Sgt. Mark Barnes of the PIPD, Crown Ambulance and the Presque Isle Fire Department responded. Through investigation, Barnes, assisted by Officer Kevin Reed, determined Marie Wright, 48, of Caribou, was the driver and was operating under the influence when the accident occurred. She was charged with OUI/drugs, with a court date of June 8, 2011. Mark’s Towing, of Caribou, was called to tow the vehicle.
A short time later, the PIPD was notified of another Houlton Road accident.
Officer Cole Chandler was assigned to investigate a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of the Houlton and Spragueville roads. Gail D. Thibault, 35, of Chapman, was operating a 1999 Buick Century. Wendy M. Kingsbury, 42, of Blaine, was driving a 2004 Chevy Avalanche.
Chandler said Thibault was turning left onto Route 1 to head north from the Spragueville Road; Kingsbury was traveling south. Poor visibility due to the storm was being blamed for the collision. The drivers were the only occupants in each vehicle and sustained minor injuries, including a possible broken ankle. Both vehicles sustained extensive damage and were insured. Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts. Vehicles were removed from the scene by Mike Cowett’s Towing.
At 5:08 p.m., the PIPD responded to another report of a property damage-only accident on the Fort Road. Officer Chandler responded and determined Justine Tremblay, 20, of Tobique, N.B., went off the road in her 1997 Dodge Caravan. No one was injured. Mike Cowett’s Towing was called to get the vehicle back on the road.
The final weather-related call of the day came into the PIPD at 5:40 p.m. Officer Chandler responded to a call from a Maine forest ranger, calling on behalf of a driver, to report a car off the road on the Parsons Road. Upon arrival, he found a 2000 Ford Focus, driven by Ryan S. Henderson, 19, of Mapleton, had gone off the road. No injuries were reported. Jerry’s was called to tow the vehicle back on the road.
Police remind drivers to make adjustments when driving, taking into consideration such things as weather and how it affects road conditions. Snow is now giving way to rain, which can cause hydroplaning. When roads are wet — be it from snow or rain — police advise drivers to slow down, allowing more time to reach a destination.
