News Briefs

Bridgewater man killed in single car crash
    WESTFIELD — A 29-year-old Bridgewater man died last Tuesday morning in a single vehicle crash in Westfield.
    According to the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office, at approximately 1:38 a.m. July 19, dispatchers received a call from a Westfield resident reporting that a car crash had occurred. Arriving emergency responders found Randy A. Brown dead at the scene.
    Preliminary investigation indicates that Brown was the sole occupant when his 2007 Ford Focus left the Miller Road. The car rolled, vaulted and ejected Brown. The Medical Examiner’s office has determined the cause of death was massive head trauma. Speed and alcohol are contributing factors to the crash, according to police.
    Brown’s vehicle was a total loss.
    The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by first responders of the Mars Hill Fire Department and the U.S. Border Patrol.
    Deputy Sheriff Ross McQuade reports the crash continues to be under investigation.
Portland woman asleep at the wheel, crashes van
    MONTICELLO — A 45-year-old Portland woman suffered a broken anke in the early morning hours Thursday when she drove her vehicle off the road and struck an apple tree.
    Sheila Peare was traveling south on Route 1 at 4:13 a.m. when her vehicle drifted off the road, striking a tree at the home of Garth Golding. During his investigation, Trooper Daniel Deschaine concluded that Peare had fallen asleep at the wheel, causing the crash. Her vehicle, a 1998 Mercury minivan, was a total loss. A passenger in the vehicle, 52-year-old Debra Cushman was not injured.
Patten woman arrested for shooting at boyfriend
    A Patten woman was arrested for felony domestic violence and reckless conduct with a firearm Sunday after she reportedly fired a weapon from her front porch on Gifford Street.
    Maine State Police responded to the residence of Paul and Shirley Turner at 4 Gifford St. in Patten after Paul called stating that Shirley had fired a shot from her porch. Trooper Timmy Saucier arrived at the residence within minutes of the report and encountered Shirley Turner on her porch. Shirley was unarmed at this time.
    Paul, the estranged partner of Shirley, had gone to the residence to retrieve personal belongings. While he was there Shirley allegedly came out onto the porch and fired a handgun, according to the police press release. Saucier was uncertain which direction the gun was fired. Witnesses at the scene also heard the gunshot and saw Shirley walk back into the house with a weapon.
    Shirley Turner was arrested and held at the Penobscot County Jail. She later posted bail.
Two Smyrna men charged after alleged joyride
    TOWNSHIP 6, RANGE 6 — Two Smyrna men were charged with unauthorized use of property after allegedly taking logging equipment for a joy ride over the weekend.
    Nathan Swallow, 27, of Smyrna was arrested for unauthorized use of property and violating the conditions of his release. Swallow was arraigned in Bangor on Wednesday, July 20. Jason Nelson, 31, also of Smyrna was charged with unauthorized use of property.
    According to the Maine State Police, Mark Charette of Fort Kent, a logging contractor for Irving Woodlands, reported the unauthorized use of his woods equipment, namely two skidders and a delimber on July 18. The incident occurred 13 miles west of Route 11.
    Trooper Timmy Saucier was assigned the case and responded to the job site on the Lane Brook Road. A 2004 skidder and a 2007 skidder, along with a 2004 delimber, had been used and found away from where they had been parked. They did not appear to be damaged.
    Saucier’s investigation of the incident led to the arrest of Swallow and Nelson. Police said alcohol played a factor in the crime.