Two-vehicle crash
critically injures Presque Isle man
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
EAGLE LAKE — A Presque Isle man is in critical condition following a two-vehicle crash on Route 11 Thursday.
Photo courtesy of MSP
A HEAD-ON COLLISION on Route 11 in Eagle Lake on June 27 sent both drivers to the hospital. Dustin Bouchard, of Winterville, sustained injuries and was transported to Northern Maine Medical Center in Fort Kent. Travis Powers, of Presque Isle, was seriously injured and was flown to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. Wet pavement was blamed for the crash.
“On June 27 at approximately 6:45a.m., Trooper Chris Cyr, assisted by Trooper Shawn Whalen and I, responded to a report of a two-vehicle crash on Route 11 in Eagle Lake,” said Sgt. Brian Harris, of the Maine State Police.
“Dustin Bouchard, 27, of Winterville was northbound in a 2006 Ford pickup owned by the Department of Conservation, while Travis Powers, 19, of Presque Isle, was southbound in a 2009 Ford pickup owned by Irving Woodlands,” explained Harris.
According to Harris, recent rain was a factor in the crash.
“Bouchard’s pickup hydroplaned on the wet roadway and Bouchard lost control, going across the roadway and striking Powers’ vehicle head-on,” said Harris.
Both drivers were trapped in their trucks until emergency personnel could free them.
“Bouchard and Powers had to be extricated from their vehicles by personnel with the Eagle Lake Fire Department utilizing hydraulic equipment. Bouchard sustained internal injuries and was transported to Northern Maine Medical Center in Fort Kent in stable condition. Powers suffered serious internal injuries and broken bones and was transported to NMMC in critical condition and was later flown to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor for further treatment,” said Harris.
Both occupants were wearing their seatbelts and their airbags deployed. Both pick-up trucks are considered a total loss.
Route 11 was closed for a short time as emergency personnel worked to free the victims and clear debris from the crash. The accident remains under investigation.
