An Ashland woman died of injuries sustained in an automobile accident Dec. 28. on Route 11.
Brenda Parker, 57, was riding in the rear seat of a van driven by her daughter, Terry Almeida, 39, of Ashland, when the accident occurred.
“The Maine State Police and rescue units from Ashland and Patten responded to a fatal motor vehicle accident approximately five miles north of Knowles Corner on Route 11 in Township 7 Range 5. Terry Almeida, 39, was operating a 1998 Dodge Caravan when it left the roadway, went down an embankment and struck a number of trees,” said Sgt. Thomas Pelletier of the MSP.
According to Pelletier, the vehicle was northbound when it left the road. Police received a call reporting the accident at approximately 11:55 a.m. Traffic had to be re-routed to allow emergency personnel to their respective jobs at the scene.
“Rescue crews from Patten had to use hydraulic equipment to extricate the passengers of the vehicle,” said Pelletier.
Almeida’s husband, Allen Almeida, was riding in the front passenger seat. The couple received non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to The Aroostook Medical Center for treatment.
Parker, who sustained multiple injuries, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police did not indicate if any of the victims were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash.
The van sustained several thousand dollars in damage when it went off the road.
While the accident remains under investigation, Pelletier indicated the cause of the crash appears to be driver inattention.
