All five occupants of a Suzuki hatchback were transported to the hospital after the car crashed into a veterans monument on Route 32 in Jefferson. (Alexander Violo photo)
Police suspect driver impairment caused a car to crash into a veterans monument on Route 32 in Jefferson the afternoon of Thursday, March 23, sending all five occupants of the car to the hospital and damaging the monument and the vehicle.
According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Allison Upham, 27, of Rockland, was driving a 2008 Suzuki SX4 hatchback toward Waldoboro on Route 32 when the car crossed the centerline and left the road.
The vehicle continued across a snow-covered grassy area, a dirt road, and a field near the Jefferson Fire & Rescue training facility before striking the monument and coming to rest, according to Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Beck.
According to LCSO interim Chief Deputy Rand Maker, Upham faces charges of operating after suspension and operating under the influence (drugs or combo), and could face additional charges.
Two adults and two children were passengers in the car: Kenneth McIntyre, 38, of Rockland; John Prior, 36, of Bremen; an 11-year-old boy; and a 10-year-old girl, according to Maker.
A town monument dedicated to veterans in 1976 was struck by a car the afternoon of Thursday, March 23. (Alexander Violo photo)
Maker said all five occupants of the vehicle were transported to LincolnHealth’s Miles Campus in Damariscotta, but he was not sure of the nature or extent of their injuries.
LincolnHealth spokeswoman Christine Henson said McIntyre, Prior, and Upham were transported to Maine Medical Center in Portland.
According to a Maine Medical Center spokesperson, McIntyre was in fair condition as of Tuesday, March 28. The hospital did not have any information on Prior or Upham.
According to a plaque on the monument, it was dedicated on Memorial Day 1976 to the men and women of Jefferson who served in the military from the American Revolution to the present.
Lincoln County Communications dispatched emergency responders shortly after 2:45 p.m.
Jefferson Fire and Rescue, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and Waldoboro Emergency Medical Services responded.
