Lincoln Academy freshman Isabelle Manahan, 15, of Newcastle, died of injuries sustained in a car crash in Edgecomb the afternoon of Friday, June 8, according to a spokesperson for the family.
Three other girls in the vehicle sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Rand Maker. Two were taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland, the third to LincolnHealth’s Miles Campus in Damariscotta.
As of Monday, June 11, all three girls had been released, according to Maker.
The girls are in the same class, according to the spokesperson for the family, Jenny Mayher. Two are 15 and one is 14, according to the sheriff’s office.
All four girls graduated from Great Salt Bay Community School in Damariscotta in 2017, according to a letter from GSB Principal Kim Schaff to parents.
The sheriff’s office did not release the names of the girls. The Lincoln County News is identifying Manahan at the request of the family.
Manahan was driving a 2006 Subaru station wagon north on Parsons Point Road, a narrow, residential road off Route 27, when the vehicle left the road and struck several trees, according to a press release from Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Brendan Kane.
“The preliminary investigation indicates that speed and driver inexperience are factors in this collision,” Kane said in the statement.
Manahan was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel, according to the press release. The Maine Chief Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the cause of death and whether alcohol was a factor, although police do not believe alcohol was a factor.
All four girls were wearing seat belts and the vehicle’s airbags deployed.
“The investigation into the unlicensed operation and possession of the vehicle will continue with further interviews,” Kane said.
The sheriff’s office declined to identify the owner of the vehicle, citing an ongoing investigation. The vehicle was not registered to anyone in the Manahan family, according to Maker.
Isabelle Manahan is the daughter of Bryan Manahan and Carrie Levine, of Newcastle. Bryan Manahan is the head of the English Department at LA. Levine is a nurse midwife and operates Whole Woman Health in Newcastle.
Isabelle Manahan was a talented ballerina, competitive skier, and musician, according to family and friends.
Lincoln Academy opened to offer counseling services Saturday and Sunday, June 9 and 10, according to an email from Associate Head of School Andrew Mullin. Friday was the last day of school at LA.
GSB had services available for students the week after the accident, and invited parents to use school services as well.
“The faculty, staff, and students extend our heartfelt sympathies to the Manahan family and to all their friends,” Schaff said in the letter to parents. “We at the school will miss Isabelle very much. She was a well-loved member of our school community.”
The Lincoln County Communications Center received a report of the crash at 2:02 p.m. Friday, according to the sheriff’s office.
The Boothbay Fire Department, Boothbay Region Ambulance Service, Edgecomb Fire Department, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and Wiscasset Ambulance Service responded to the scene. The Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office is assisting with the crash reconstruction.
The road was shut down until 5:30 p.m.
