A tow truck prepares to haul a Ford Explorer away from the scene of a double-fatal accident in Boothbay early Wednesday, July 30. (Photo courtesy Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office) |
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William M. Gerardi |
Updated July 30 at 3:55 p.m.
A Connecticut man faces a felony charge of furnishing liquor to a minor in connection with the deaths of two teenagers in a high-speed, single-vehicle accident in Boothbay July 30.
William M. Gerardi, 21, of Hebron, Connecticut, allegedly provided liquor to the teenagers at a residence on Merry Lane in Boothbay, according to a press release from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office identified the driver in the wreck as Casey Dalton, 19, of Boothbay. The sheriff’s office has not released the name of the other victim, a 17-year-old Boothbay Harbor boy.
Dalton was driving a Ford Explorer north on Route 27 “at a high speed” when he lost control of the vehicle at the intersection of Route 27 and River Road in Boothbay, according to a Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office press release.
The vehicle crossed into the southbound lane, left the roadway and “struck several trees before coming to rest,” according to the press release. “Both occupants were found deceased at the scene.”
Dalton was not wearing a seat belt; his passenger was. The accident was reported at 3:20 a.m.
Deputies arrested Gerardi and transported him to Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset. As of 3:13 p.m., he remains in custody with bail set at $5,000 cash. He will likely appear in court either Thursday or Friday if he cannot make bail.
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy Jared Mitkus is the primary investigating officer. Sgt. Alan Shea and Deputy First Class Mark Bridgham assisted in the investigation. Sgt. Jason Nein is conducting a reconstruction.
The Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, and Edgecomb fire departments and the Boothbay Region Ambulance Service responded to the scene of the accident. Route 27 was closed for approximately three hours during the investigation.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office will continue to gather information about the accident, and could file more charges against Gerardi or others, according to the press release.
The sheriff’s office asks anyone with information about the crash to call 882-7332.
