PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – A Fort Fairfield man died following an accident on the Fort Road the morning of April 18.
According to police, witnesses reported seeing an eastbound vehicle being operated erratically before it swerved, striking a guardrail in the same lane. The single-vehicle accident occurred at approximately 10:27 a.m. at 102 Fort Road.
“The 1988 Ford Bronco was operated by Earl Wendell Christensen, 91, a retired farmer of Fort Fairfield. After striking the guardrail, Christensen’s vehicle then traveled across the opposing lane and crashed into a pine tree,” said Shawn Newell, investigating officer with the Presque Isle Police Department.
Crown Ambulance and the Presque Isle Fire Department responded to the scene, with emergency personnel working quickly to remove the victim from the damaged vehicle. Christensen was transported to The Aroostook Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 11:11 a.m. The truck was totaled as the result of the accident.
“The Maine Medical Examiner’s Office was notified and conducted an investigation to determine the cause of death,” said Newell.
The District Attorney’s Office was also notified.
It’s unclear whether or not Christensen died as the result of the accident or if the accident was caused from a medical emergency. Det. Sgt. Wayne Selfridge, of the PIPD, indicated there was reason to believe Christensen may have died from a heart attack. Selfridge said Christensen was traveling alone at the time of the accident.
“It’s fortunate no one else was involved in the crash. Christensen was driving alone. Crossing the centerline as he did, it was a good thing westbound traffic was light that morning,” said Selfridge.
At press time, the accident remained under investigation.
Newell was also assisted at the scene by Sgt. Eric Erickson and Officers Lynn Hartley, Dana Cote and Rob Thibeault, all of the PIPD.
According to police, witnesses reported seeing an eastbound vehicle being operated erratically before it swerved, striking a guardrail in the same lane. The single-vehicle accident occurred at approximately 10:27 a.m. at 102 Fort Road.
“The 1988 Ford Bronco was operated by Earl Wendell Christensen, 91, a retired farmer of Fort Fairfield. After striking the guardrail, Christensen’s vehicle then traveled across the opposing lane and crashed into a pine tree,” said Shawn Newell, investigating officer with the Presque Isle Police Department.
Crown Ambulance and the Presque Isle Fire Department responded to the scene, with emergency personnel working quickly to remove the victim from the damaged vehicle. Christensen was transported to The Aroostook Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 11:11 a.m. The truck was totaled as the result of the accident.
“The Maine Medical Examiner’s Office was notified and conducted an investigation to determine the cause of death,” said Newell.
The District Attorney’s Office was also notified.
It’s unclear whether or not Christensen died as the result of the accident or if the accident was caused from a medical emergency. Det. Sgt. Wayne Selfridge, of the PIPD, indicated there was reason to believe Christensen may have died from a heart attack. Selfridge said Christensen was traveling alone at the time of the accident.
“It’s fortunate no one else was involved in the crash. Christensen was driving alone. Crossing the centerline as he did, it was a good thing westbound traffic was light that morning,” said Selfridge.
At press time, the accident remained under investigation.
Newell was also assisted at the scene by Sgt. Eric Erickson and Officers Lynn Hartley, Dana Cote and Rob Thibeault, all of the PIPD.
