GARDINER, Maine — Icy roads are being blamed for a highway accident that claimed two lives in Gardiner, a crash that claimed one life in Bowdoin, and a truck crash that resulted in power outages in southern Maine.
Police say U.S. Route 201 in Gardiner was closed after a vehicle rolled over about a mile north of the Interstate 295 interchange, killing two men and injuring a third person.
Dennis Kay, 62, of Gardiner and Carlton Norwood, 25, of Pittston were killed in the crash, according to the Portland Press Herald.
Both men were partially ejected when the cargo van they were riding in skidded out of control and rolled over before landing in a ditch on its side, Gardiner Police Chief James Toman said.
A third man, Thomas Bourque, 29, of Randolph, was taken by ambulance to MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta for treatment of injuries that were not life threatening.
The section of Route 201, also called Brunswick Avenue, was closed for about three hours as police investigated the crash, Toman said.
The crash occurred around 8 a.m., as the men were driving a Budget rental van south on Brunswick Avenue toward Interstate 295.
According to Toman, Bourque was riding in the cargo area of the van while Kay and Norwood were up front.
Police have not yet determined which of the men was driving, but Toman said it did not appear that any of the men were wearing seat belts.
Maine State Police and Kennebec County Sheriff deputies assisted Gardiner police and fire department at the scene, Toman said.
In Bowdoin, The Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office said 45-year-old Andrew Klaiber of Topsham was killed Saturday afternoon after crashing into a tree just before 3 p.m. on Route 201, WGME reports.
In Falmouth, ice covering Route 9 caused a truck rounding a curve to hit a pole Saturday morning, leaving more than 300 Central Maine Power customers without power for several hours. Nearly 100 gallons of fuel spilled in the road, which was shut down. WMTW-TV says there were no injuries in that crash.
Lots of tragic accidents lately. Sad. Slow down people.
better yet, don’t even goout on days like this unless you have too. too many deaths on the highways this year. prayers go out to those folks
exactly-we just cancelled our plans to go to Hollywood Slots to see Rock Revelation-sorry Tommy…
Wow…….this is an epidemic.
Working hard.
Trying to make a living aint easy these days.
Best to all involved.
Very sad news. Sympathies extended to the family of Dennis Kay and Carlton Norwood.
This makes at least 8 deaths on Maine roads this week………..
Of the 8 deaths were any wearing seatbelts?
wonder which one of the dead men will be said to be the driver ?
Is it me or has there an inordinate number of fatal car crashes as of late????
Yes, a lot of people have died in auto accidents in the past week in Maine but a lot of them have been caused by driving too fast for conditions. Sadly one has to remember that over 100 people die every single day in auto accidents.
Yes, I believe the tally for the past week is up to 9.
Way too many. It’s so sad.
The icy roads aren’t to blame; imprudent speed is to blame.
how come if there is a stretch of road with icy conditions,
dozens of vehicles travel on it without crashing but one
vehicle comes along and crashes?
Seat belts save lives.
I kind of envy those who lived in an age when they could stay put on the farm through the winter