News Briefs

Head-on collision sends two to hospital
By Julie Bayly
Bangor Daily News staff
    HODGDON  — A two-vehicle accident Saturday afternoon sent two people to the hospital with injuries that were not life threatening.
    According to Dan Marquis, Maine State Police shift supervisor with the Houlton barracks, Sara Cole, 23, of Houlton was operating a 2004 GMC Sierra Pickup in the northbound lane on Walker Road in Hodgdon at approximatel 2:20 p.m. when she attempted to make a left-hand turn into a driveway and did not see the 2003 Chrysler sedan heading south, driven by Rebecca Muncey, 34, of Hodgdon.
    Cole turned into the path of Muncey and the two vehicles hit head-on, Marquis said.
Cole and Muncey were transported to Houlton Regional Hospital by ambulance where they were still being treated for ankle and leg injuries late Saturday afternoon.
    Three passengers in Cole’s pickup — her two children ages 1 and 3 years old and her brother Shane Mack, 26 — were examined at the scene but were taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure where they were treated and released, Marquis said.
    Both vehicles were declared total losses and all involved were wearing seat belts or in the appropriate child safety seats, Marquis said.
    Neither speed nor alcohol were believed to be factors in the accident and no charges are pending. The accident was investigated by Trooper David Coflesky.
ATV injures 4-year-old
    SHIN POND — At approximately 6 p.m. Sunday, a 4-year-old boy from Searsport was operating a Yamaha 80cc four-wheeler close to his grandfather’s home in Shin Pond. The boy’s father found him unconscious about 200 feet from the home. It appears the child attempted to drive up an incline and rolled backwards when the ATV landed on him.
    Patten Ambulance transported the child to Houlton Regional Hospital. He was stabilized and taken by LifeFlight to Eastern Maine Medical Center to be treated for possible internal injuries. According to Cpl. John MacDonald of the Maine Warden Service, the helmet was off the child but near the machine. Witnesses observed the boy wearing the helmet earlier.
    The names of those involved are not being released at this time. This incident remains under investigation by the Maine Warden Service.
Sen. Collins’ staff to hold local hours
    U.S. Sen. Susan Collins has announced that staff from her Aroostook County office will hold local office hours in Hodgdon and Houlton on Thursday, Aug. 9.
    A staff member will be available to provide assistance with federal issues and agencies, such as the Social Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Internal Revenue Service. No appointment is necessary. All conversations are strictly confidential.
    The senator’s representative will be at the Hodgdon Town Office from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and at the Houlton Town Office from noon to 1 p.m.
    For more information, contact Sen. Collins’ Aroostook County office in Caribou at 493-7873.