Sun blamed for Friday crash
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Glare from the sun is being blamed for a two-vehicle accident Friday morning.
A TWO-VEHICLE ACCIDENT at the intersection of the Chandler and Washburn roads Friday resulted in one driver sustaining minor injuries. The accident occurred when a migrant transport bus owned by Smith Farms Inc. and driven by Martin Zepeda Cabrera was making a left turn from Route 164 onto the Chandler Road and struck a Jeep driven by Kristofer Winklmann traveling toward Washburn. 
Here, emergency personnel prepare Winklmann for transport by Crown Ambulance to TAMC.
A passerby reported the accident at the intersection of the Chandler and Washburn roads to the Presque Isle Police Department around 7:52 a.m. on Aug. 24. Harvey Bevins, owner of BC Auto of Presque Isle, and Nathan Allen, a Presque Isle firefighter, were passing the scene of the accident and stopped to assist prior to emergency personnel’s arrival.
Officer Cole Chandler, PIPD, responded to investigate, assisted by Sgt. Eric Erickson.
“A 1986 International bus registered to Smith Farms Inc. of Presque Isle, used to haul migrant workers, was traveling east, operated by Martin Zepeda Cabrera, 42, whose residence was listed as Limestone. The bus driver was attempting to make a left-hand turn onto Chandler from Route 164 when he struck a 2001 Jeep Cherokee driven by Kristofer Winklmann, 25, of Washburn, which was traveling west,” said Chandler.
The impact forced the Jeep to careen out of control, striking an apartment house at the intersection owned by Fernand and Marcia Martin of Presque Isle.
“Cabrera indicated he did not see the Jeep, due to glare from the sun,” said Chandler, noting no charges were expected.
Winklmann was transported by Crown Ambulance to The Aroostook Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. Cabrera was not injured. The bus sustained damage to the left front fender. The Jeep was considered a total loss and towed from the scene by BC Auto. No estimate was available on the damage to the house.
First responders from the Presque Isle Fire Department also assisted at the scene.
