By Kathy Onorato
A Dresden woman was ejected from her vehicle and left with a leg injury following an accident on Route 128 in Dresden, which resulted in the vehicle becoming completely immersed in the Eastern River in the early morning hours of Dec. 13.
Members of the Maine State Police’s Underwater Recovery Team, search the icy Eastern River in Dresden for a vehicle that went in the river following an accident on Route 128 in the early morning on Dec. 13. The search was called off after about an hour and the vehicle is reportedly still in the river. (Kathy Onorato photo)
According the report of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Whitney M. Rice, 23, of Dresden, was traveling south on Route 128 when her 2002 Ford Explorer left the roadway and drove down an embankment. The vehicle then overturned and ejected Rice into the Eastern River and her vehicle became immersed in the river.
According to LCSO Lt. Rand Maker, Rice was taken to Mid Coast hospital with a leg injury.
As of Dec. 17, Maker said the vehicle was still in the river after a recovery attempt was made following the accident Dec. 13. “Ultimately it is the responsibility of the owner to have the vehicle removed.” Maker said. The vehicle owner will also assume any liability resulting from the incident, said Maker.
A diver from the Maine State Police Underwater Recovery team attempted to locate vehicle on Friday but was unsuccessful due to poor visibility and the depth of the river at that location.
Michael Chavez, assistant commander of the recovery team said the operation was not a search and rescue effort because no one was in the vehicle. “We have to weigh personal safety versus the vehicle recovery,” Chavez said.
Chavez said the diver searched an area of 40 feet from the shore line, in 25-30 feet of water and didn’t see anything. “Logistically it’s difficult, and a boat is needed,” he said.
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Beck investigated the accident.
