APPLETON, Maine — A 43-year-old Rockport woman was killed Saturday night when the snowmobile she was riding and one driven by her son struck each other.
Jan M. Richardson was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a news release issued by the Maine Warden Service.
The crash occurred shortly before 11:30 p.m. Saturday in a field off West Appleton Road in Appleton.
Richardson was visiting friends in Appleton with her son Josh Berry, 20, of Rockport. Richardson and her son were riding the snowmobiles in a nearby field when the crash occurred, according to the warden service. Richardson was not wearing a helmet.
Berry was taken to Waldo County General Hospital in Belfast, was treated for his injuries and released on Sunday, according to a hospital spokesperson.
The Union Fire and Rescue departments responded. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed at the scene on Richardson.
Speed and alcohol appear to be factors in the crash, the warden service reported. The incident is under investigation by the warden service, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and the Knox County District Attorney’s Office.
Wardens Michelle Merrifield, Mark Merrifield and Warden Sgt. Scott Thrasher went to the scene, as did Wardens Josh Smith and Eric Blanchard of the Maine Warden Service Forensic Mapping Team.
How tragic!
If this was a boating accident there would be dimwitts crying out for new rules and regs.
It seems every yr. we have double digit deaths due to snowmobiles. Sadly, the news almost always includes that sentence:
“Speed and alcohol appear to be factors in the crash, the Warden Service reported”
What rules and regs. not already in place would have prevented this?
You can’t regulate personal responsibility.
You gave the answer in your last sentence.
Outlaw being intoxicated while snowmobiling and all will be fine.
alcohol is already outlawed, yet this accident happened. Just because alcohol is outlawed does not mean the law will not be broken. So sad
“Friends don’t let friends drive snowmobiles drunk.”
Hyuk, hyuk. You spelled “friends” wrong…twice.
fixed…thanks
My friends should not let me type….
So sad for the family. My condolences.
I love snowmobiling as much as the next…but the current crop of sleds are crazy fast and most sledders are not qualified to handle those extreme speeds sober much less intoxicated. Not withstanding there are very few places you want to go faster then 40-50 mph anyway.
not the sleds fault, be accountable, my car will go 140+ but I do not drive that fast…just saying
Jan – you will be so missed. You were ALWAYS a hard worker, smiled at others and so caring. You loved your son with all of your being. RIP Jan.
ATTENTION FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS OF SNOWMOBILE DRIVERS
instead of waiting til AFTER your friend/family member is dead because of drunk driving/speeding to say something , say something to them BEFORE they go out drunk driving/speeding on a snowmobile
Thank you for the sign! Maybe these signs need to be posted on trails???? Snowmobile clubs and ATV clubs are you listening??? Something along the lines, drop the drink or click the casket; your choice. I’m sure some sassy writer can come up with a catchy sign. Here’s your sign….