Staff Writer
Two people sustained injuries when a section of the Everett Road in Washburn collapsed, causing their vehicle to fall into the resulting hole. “At approximately 5:30 a.m. April 30, Andrew McLaughlin, 38, and his passenger, Jessica Darby, 28, were on their way to work, traveling south on the Everett Road when a section of the road collapsed,” said Doug Conroy, chief of the Washburn Police Department.
Conroy said a weather-worn culvert, stressed by flooding conditions on Salmon Brook, gave way, creating a weak spot in the road. Parts of the shoulder on each side of the road had begun to crumble and safety cones had been put in place to warn drivers of the danger. According to Conroy, McLaughlin was traveling between the cones when the road gave way.
“The driver tried to avoid the cones but the road collapsed beneath him,” said Conroy.
Conroy said the 1994 Chevy sedan was damaged in the accident and was believed to be totaled. Both driver and passenger sustained injuries.
“McLaughlin suffered some spinal injury from the jolt of the car falling when the road collapsed. His passenger complained of some back pain. Both were taken to TAMC for treatment,” said Conroy.
A crew from the Washburn Highway Department was on site for the better part of the day, installing a new culvert and repairing the road. The road was closed for the better part of the day and traffic re-routed.
