By Dominik Lobkowicz
Sumner Keith, 21, of Nobleboro, was operating this Hyundai Tiburon south on Route 32 in Waldoboro when it left the roadway and struck a tree, according to police. (D. Lobkowicz photo) |
A Nobleboro man injured in an accident in Waldoboro May 15 is home and recovering after being taken by LifeFlight helicopter to Maine Medical Center in Portland and being treated for two collapsed lungs.
Sumner Keith, 21, was operating a 2006 Hyundai Tiburon south on Route 32 May 15 when he crossed the northbound lane, narrowly avoided a utility pole and struck a tree on the lawn of 690 Bremen Road, according to Waldoboro Police Officer Larry Hesseltine.
“Witnesses said he just swerved off the road” but was traveling at or near the speed limit, Hesseltine said.
According to Hesseltine, Keith got out of the car after the accident and ran a short distance before he returned to the car and lay down on the ground. There were no passengers.
Waldoboro EMS transported Keith to the Miles campus of LincolnHealth in Damariscotta, and he was subsequently flown to Maine Medical Center.
“He’s home and he’s doing good, just real sore,” Sumner’s mother, Evelyn Keith, said May 20.
Evelyn said Sumner was treated for two collapsed lungs but made a quick recovery.
“It was amazing, he went from having a ventilator in the morning to waking up and coming home the next morning,” she said.
Evelyn was appreciative of how much support the community gave after the accident.
“We have had so much contact from everybody around here, it’s been amazing,” she said. “We’re so thankful and overwhelmed.”
Emergency personnel were paged out to the accident at 11:18 a.m.
Airbags in the car deployed and whether or not Sumner was wearing a seat belt was unknown. Police Chief Bill Labombarde said the vehicle was totaled.
Hesseltine said speed was not a factor in the accident.
Waldoboro Fire Department assisted with traffic control at the scene.
