Weather blamed for crash
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
FORT FAIRFIELD — Friday’s bad weather is being blamed for a two-vehicle accident that sent five people to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
“On Friday, July 22, around 8 p.m. Officer Stephanie Beaulieu responded to a two-vehicle personal injury crash at the intersection of Route 1A and the Presque Isle Road,” said Sgt. Shawn Newell, Fort Fairfield Police Department.
According to Newell, Brenda Chapman, 54, of Fort Fairfield, was operating a red, 1999 Ford Taurus and had stopped at the intersection on the Presque Isle Road, as she waited to turn onto 1A.
“Chapman then entered onto 1A and was struck by Roxanne Poole, 43, of Easton, who was operating a white 1999 Dodge Caravan, headed toward Easton. Poole’s vehicle then left the roadway and landed in the adjacent potato field,” said Newell.
Poole had three passengers, ages 16, 11 and 7. Chapman was traveling alone at the time of the crash.
“Poole and her three passengers, along with Chapman, had complaints of pain and abrasions and were transported to The Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle, where they were treated and released,” he said.
Newell indicated a severe thunderstorm was passing through the area at the time and was a factor in the accident.
“At the time of the crash, Fort Fairfield was experiencing heavy rains and winds from the storm that ripped through the County that evening. It’s believed that Chapman could not see Poole’s vehicle due to heavy rains and wind at the time as she entered into Route 1A and was struck by Chapman,” said Newell. “Weather was definitely a primary factor in the crash.”
Both vehicles were reported as a total loss.
The Fort Fairfield Fire Department and first responders and Crown Ambulance assisted FFPD at the scene.
