Driver inattention causes crash
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — An afternoon accident at the intersection of Church and Third streets between an Aroostook Regional Transportation System bus and an SUV is being blamed on driver inattention.
The Presque Isle Police Department responded around 2 p.m. Tuesday to the report of a two-vehicle accident east of the post office.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
A TWO-VEHICLE accident between an ARTS bus driven by Dale Day and an SUV driven by Sarah Gahagan occurred Tuesday afternoon at the intersection of Church and Third streets in Presque Isle was blamed on driver inattention. Passengers of the bus — OTC clients — were transferred to a second ARTS bus. One minor injury was reported.
“I arrived around 2 p.m. The bus, driven by Dale Day, was traveling west on Church St. The SUV was being driven by Sarah Gahagan, 26, of Presque Isle. She was heading north on Third St. and accidentally ran through the stop sign, striking the bus,” said Kevin Schumacher, investigating officer, PIPD.
The bus was carrying several clients from the Opportunity Training Center when the accident occurred. At least one injury was reported.
“One of the clients was taken to The Aroostook Medical Center to be checked out,” said Schumacher, noting Crown Ambulance was not needed at the scene, nor was the Presque Isle Fire Department.
The bus, a Freightliner, sustained damage to the front left side, estimated at over $1,000. Gahagan’s SUV, a 1997 Chevy Tahoe sustained extensive damage to the passenger side and was presumed totaled.
Assisting Schumacher with traffic control was PIPD Officer Chris Hayes.
