The Gardiner man who struck a deer while riding a motorycle in Whitefield Sunday, Sept. 28, died as a result his injuries, Monday, Sept. 29, at the Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston.
According to a Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office press release, Kenneth Black, 50, and his wife Laurie Black, 47, both of Gardiner, were riding separate motorcycles south on the Mills Road when they slowed to avoid hitting an injured deer that was in the roadway.
As the Blacks approached the deer, it moved into the path they had both taken to avoid the injured animal. Laurie Black was able to control her motorcycle but Kenneth Black lost control of his motorcycle striking both the deer and the motorcycle being operated by his wife, the LCSO press release states. Neither of the Blacks were wearing helmets at the time of the crash.
Black was transported by Delta Ambulance to the Whitefield Elementary School and then by LifeFlight helicopter to Central Maine Medical Center with a serious head injury. Laurie Black refused medical transport from the scene but did complain of both pain to her head and knee.
Because of the seriousness of the injuries deputies did obtain a blood sample from Laurie Black for later testing for drugs and alcohol, but they do not suspect this was a contributing factor, according to the LCSO.
The Mills Road in Whitefield was closed for about two hours while emergency workers and deputies performed their work.
In addition to Delta Ambulance, Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies were assisted at the scene by the both the Whitefield and Jefferson Fire Departments.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation of the crash. At this time criminal charges appear unlikely but the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office will have the final review of this investigation once it is complete.
