Car hits ATV
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
CASTLE HILL — Winter road conditions were being blamed for an accident Friday morning on the Haystack Road that sent a local man to the hospital with serious injuries.
“On Dec. 28, at approximately 7:55 a.m., the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office received a call of a car-ATV accident on the Haystack Road (Route 163) in Castle Hill by 575 Haystack Road,” said Sgt. Forrest Dudley, ACSO.
According to Dudley, at the time of the accident 23-year-old Bethany Morton of Ashland was traveling east in her 2007 Toyota Camry. Wendell Denbow, 52, of Castle Hill, was plowing snow with his 2005 Polaris four-wheeler at his residence at 575 Haystack Road.
“Denbow backed his four-wheeler out into the roadway in front of Morton. Morton was unable to stop or avoid colliding with Denbow’s ATV,” said Dudley.
“Denbow was thrown from the four-wheeler, hit Morton’s vehicle and landed in the roadway. Denbow sustained serious injuries and was transported to The Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle by Crown Ambulance,” said Dudley.
Due to the extent of Denbow’s injuries, he was then flown to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor by Aroostook Critical Care Transport.
“Denbow was listed Friday in critical condition,” said Dudley.
Morton sustained no injuries. Morton’s vehicle sustained approximately $4,500 in damage as a result of the accident. Denbow’s ATV sustained major damage.
“Poor road conditions and poor visibility were factors in the accident,” said Dudley.
Deputy Michael Montpetit, of the ACSO, is the lead investigator of the crash. Montpetit was assisted at the scene by Deputy Mitchell Wheeler, members of the Mapleton fire Department, the Maine Warden Service and the Ashland Police Department.
Traffic was re-routed for more than two hours as emergency personnel worked to clear the scene. The accident remains under investigation. No charges are pending.
Denbow was still listed as a patient at EMMC on Monday, Dec. 31, however no additional information was being released on his condition at presstime.
The ACSO advises motorists and individuals performing snow removal to use caution, especially when winter conditions reduce visibility.
