Crashes keep MSP busy

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    Maine State Police officials were busy last week as a pair of serious automobile accidents took place just hours apart Thursday.
    In Stacyville, at approximately 5:55 p.m., Maine State Trooper Timmy Saucier responded to a single vehicle crash on U.S. Route 11 in Stacyville. According to police reports, James Bernardini, 46, of East Millinocket was traveling southbound in his 2006 Pontiac when he lost control of his vehicle. Bernardini left the west side of the road and first struck a tree. He then traveled about 100 feet off the road and struck a utility pole, which downed a telephone wire leaving it about eight feet high across the road.
    “Despite extensive damage to the entire right side of his car with the right fender pushed into the wheel, Bernardini traveled another half mile before his vehicle came to a stop,” said MSP Sgt. Thomas Pelletier. “Bernardini was suspected of operating under the influence. He was arrested for OUI liquor and was transported to East Millinocket Police Department, where he was processed and charged with operating under the influence. His vehicle sustained extensive damage and is considered a total loss.”
    There was no information available on whether Bernardini suffered any injuries.
    Later on Thursday, state police were called to the Silver Ridge Road for a crash involving a Sherman woman.
Contributed photo/Maine State Police
WRECKED — Heather Blue, 34, of Sherman suffered just minor injuries Thursday, but her vehicle was a total loss.
    At about 8:40 p.m., Trooper Saucier responded to a single vehicle crash. According to Pelletier, Heather Blue, 34, of Sherman, was traveling northbound on the Silver Ridge Road in a 2003 Pontiac at a high rate of speed when she lost control of the vehicle.
    “Blue’s vehicle left the roadway on the east side of the road while flipping end for end,” Pelletier said. “The vehicle then struck and severed a utility pole about eight feet off the ground.  The bottom part of the pole penetrated the vehicle’s roof and went completely to the floorboard, narrowly missing Blue. The top part of the pole was kept upright by the vehicle. She remained trapped in the vehicle until Maine Public Service cut power to the pole and emergency medical personnel extricated her by shattering the driver’s door window.”
    Patten Ambulance transported Blue to Millinocket Regional Hospital, where she was treated for minor injuries.
    The Silver Ridge Road was shut down for about an hour and restricted to one lane for about two hours, while Maine Public Service installed a new pole and restored power to area residents.
    State police are continuing their investigation into the crash. It was unknown by presstime if Blue would be charged in the incident. The vehicle sustained extensive damage and is considered a total loss. Emergency responders from Sherman, Stacyville, Patten and the East Millinocket Police Department assisted state police.