Man charged with OUI in deadly crash
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
MARS HILL — A local man has been charged with operating under the influence, following an early evening crash Saturday that claimed the life of a Medway man and left a Mars Hill man in serious condition.
“On Sept. 3 at approximately 6:20 p.m. Trooper Shawn Whalen responded to a report of a two-vehicle fatal crash on Route 1 in Mars Hill. A 2010 Ford pickup, operated by William Barton, 51, of Mars Hill, was southbound and a 2001 Chrysler wagon, operated by Jerome York, 21, of Medway, was northbound on Route 1. The pickup and the wagon collided head-on as they met,” said Sgt. Brian Harris, Maine State Police.
According to Harris, the wagon rolled over, coming to rest on its side in the ditch at a location just north of town, near the Mars Hill DOT garage, near the Clark Road-U.S. Route 1 intersection.
Both drivers sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
“William and Jerome were transported to The Aroostook Medical Center by Crown Ambulance, where they were treated and released. Passengers in Jerome’s vehicle were his uncle, Herb Young, 52, of Mars Hill, and Jerome’s father, Nathan York, 51, of Medway. Herb sustained serious injuries in the crash and was transported to TAMC and later transferred to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor,” said Harris.
“Nathan sustained severe trauma in the crash and was deceased at the scene,” continued Harris.
Hydraulic equipment was used to extricate the occupants of the York vehicle. Seatbelts were used by all occupants and airbags did deploy. Both vehicles were totaled in the crash.
As of Sunday evening, Herb Young remained in serious condition at EMMC, suffering from severe internal trauma, noted Harris.
Subsequent investigation resulted in charges being brought against Barton.
“On Sept. 4, Trooper Whalen continued his investigation into the fatal accident and as a result arrested William Barton for operating under the influence of alcohol and possession of methamphetamine,” said Harris.
“The accident is being reconstructed by Trooper Robert Flynn of the MSP and Warden Ryan Fitzpatrick of the Maine Warden Service,” said Harris.
Also assisting Whalen with the investigation were Harris, Troopers Dennis Quint and Jillian Monahan; the Mars Hill Fire Department; and the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office.
“The investigation into the cause of the crash is continuing and anyone with information on the crash is encouraged to call the MSP at 532-5400,” said Harris.
No additional information was available on Herb Young’s condition at presstime.