By J.W. Oliver
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy First Class Mark Bridgham and Alna Fire Chief Mike Trask examine the scene of a motorcycle-van collision in Alna, Sunday, June 8. (Sherwood Olin photo) |
A Kennebec County motorcyclist is in good condition after a head-on motorcycle-van collision on Route 218 in Alna June 8, according to a hospital spokeswoman.
Carl Cooke, 55, of Belgrade, sustained “life-threatening injuries” in the crash, according to a statement from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
Cooke was driving a 2004 Harley- Davidson motorcycle north on Route 218 at 2:48 p.m., the sheriff’s office said. Steven Frey, 59, of Newcastle, was driving a 2010 Ford Transit delivery vehicle south. The vehicles were approaching the intersection with West Alna Road.
Cooke crossed into the southbound lane while entering a righthand curve. Frey steered right in an attempt to avoid a collision, but the vehicles collided head-on in the southbound lane, the statement said.
Cooke was ejected from the motorcycle and sustained a “serious head injury,” according to the sheriff’s office. He was not wearing a helmet.
A LifeFlight helicopter transported Cooke to the Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. He was in good condition Wednesday morning, a hospital spokeswoman said.
The Wiscasset Ambulance Service transported Frey and his passenger to the Miles campus of LincolnHealth in Damariscotta “for treatment of minor injuries,” according to the statement.
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy First Class Mark Bridgham is the primary investigating officer. Sgt. Matthew Day assisted Bridgham at the scene. Crash Reconstruction Specialist Sgt. Jason Nein will complete a reconstruction.
The Alna, Whitefield, and Wiscasset fire departments responded to the scene.
Authorities closed Route 218 for almost three hours. “The crash remains under investigation,” according to the sheriff’s office.
