By J.W. Oliver
Ambulance and fire personnel assist a passenger after a collision on Route 1 in Newcastle Friday, Aug. 7. (J.W. Oliver photo) |
Four people sustained injuries when a sport utility vehicle pulled out in front of a sedan on Route 1 in Newcastle Friday afternoon, Aug. 7.
Deborah J. Miller, 58, of Belfast, was driving a 2006 Toyota Corolla south on Route 1 with two passengers, Alexa J. Genthner, 19, of Waldoboro, and Kylie J. McNeil, 17, of Valrico, Fla.
Marilyn A. Foster, 64, of Newcastle, was driving a 2011 Ford Explorer, attempting to turn onto Route 1 from the parking lot of Robert L. Foster Antiques.
Foster “failed to see southbound traffic” and entered Route 1 in front of the Miller vehicle, which “couldn’t avoid contact,” Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy 1st Class Mark Bridgham said. The Toyota was likely traveling 50-55 mph in the 55-mph zone.
The Explorer spun around and came to rest in the southbound lane and shoulder, facing back toward the parking lot. The Corolla continued 200-250 feet across the northbound lane, coming to rest in the northbound lane and shoulder facing south.
Miller suffered a broken right ankle in the crash, according to Bridgham. Genthner and McNeil suffered back and neck pain, as well as shock.
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This 2011 Ford Explorer did not yield to a southbound Toyota sedan as the Explorer was pulling out of the Robert L. Foster Antiques parking lot and onto Route 1 in Newcastle Friday, Aug. 7. (J.W. Oliver photo) |
“Everybody was wearing seat belts” and airbags deployed in both vehicles, Bridgham said. “That definitely saved lives.”
The Central Lincoln County Ambulance Service transported Genthner, McNeil, and Miller to the Miles Campus of LincolnHealth in Damariscotta. Foster was transported to Miles by a relative.
All four were treated and released, according to LincolnHealth spokesman Scott Shott.
Both vehicles were totaled.
The accident and emergency response shut down Route 1, creating traffic delays.
The Central Lincoln County Ambulance Service, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and the Newcastle Fire Department responded to the scene.
Bridgham was the investigating officer. Sheriff Todd Brackett, Lt. Michael Murphy, and Detective Terry Michaud assisted at the scene.
Lincoln County Communications dispatched emergency personnel to the scene at 12:20 p.m. Emergency personnel cleared the scene about an hour later, according to Bridgham.
