ORLAND, Maine — A two-car collision on routes 1 and 3 near the intersection with Route 175 left one person dead early Saturday afternoon.
According to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, the victim was Melissa A. Hewitt, 33, of Orland, who died of massive trauma despite wearing a seat belt. She was driving a 2001 Ford Taurus.
The driver of the other vehicle involved, a 2009 Honda Fit, was Virginia Holmes, 65, of Prospect. She, too, was wearing a seat belt and was transported by LifeFlight helicopter to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor for treatment of injuries not considered life-threatening.
Both vehicles were a total loss. The accident was reported at 12:51 p.m.
According to the accident investigation, as Hewitt pulled out from Route 175, her vehicle was struck by Holmes’ vehicle, which was eastbound on routes 1 and 3.
The cause of the accident and contributing factors remain under investigation.
Watch bangordailynews.com for updates.
It is a horrible intersection right there how can you already assume texting?? Do you know the area? I do I live in the area maybe you should wait for more info before assuming things
That is a VERY bad spot. Sometimes it canbe almost as bad as the top of the hill at home co op trying to get off the river road…..
Horrible tragedy. That area seems to have a lot of accidents. Condolences to the family of the deceased and crossed fingers for a recovery for the others involved.
WTF is going on?? Both vehicles look like they have survivable passenger compartments.
Just the other day there was a middle age woman that survived a multiple rollover in her Nissan.
Another regrettable and sad story.
No seatbelt theories need apply at this point, please? Let’s just give our condolences at this point. Huh?
What do you mean “survivable passenger compartments?”
For a number of years now, it’s the “Passenger Cell” that’s important per the gov and common sense regulations. The manufacturers have made the trunk and engine areas the ‘collapsible crumple zones’ to make the central passenger cell more survivable. Makes sense doesn’t it? That’s why for a number of years people have said “Look how that tin can crumpled!”. They don’t understand/realize cars have been designed that way increasingly for years, but people don’t understand what’s going on with autos. Look at the relatively unharmed passenger compartments. :)
P.S. SUVs and Pickups do not have the same crash regulations that cars do! Big and heavy doesn’t always work (witness the rollover rates of the pre traction control equipped SUVs).
Exactly. The energy has to go somewhere. If the cars didnt crush in the ideal areas, more energy would be imparted into the center of the car and the people. Thus, as you have said, the Passenger Cell has become the area of importance. The rest of the car is designed to absorb energy and, again, as you said, result in an awful looking car after an impact. Personally, I vote for less cars. Cars are a problem.
Thank you for being one of the ‘Awares’. But we all have to admit that cars, electric or not, are as inevitable as death and taxes. :)
It looked much worse in person- we came through there about an hour and a half ago.
It always looks worse than it was, except for a minor little thing: A death!
Cars are meant to look bad to protect the passengers (along with belts and airbags).
All I know is that when we came by there I said to my son, “Someone must have been killed” because the front of both cars were SO smashed up. It was horrible.
Condolences to the deceased’s family and I hope everyone else involved is okay.
You’re right! No matter the circumstances, The Death is ALL that matters!
That’s why I asked everyone preemptively to not make any premature remarks. :)
the seatbelt and airbag didnt help one woman in this case
We don’t know anything about it really., We only know that someone lost their life. Manufacturers can only design for the 90% and people can’t be relied on to always use the features every time. Seatbelt usage or not, some things can’t be explained. That’s where Murphy’s law applies…. Still sad, regardless.
Edit: I see the story was updated. Yesterday it only said that a passenger didn’t make it. I choose not to read the whole update now. The result is still the same.
you can tell what the passenger compartment looks like from outside the vehicle in these pictures?? wow your amazing… even as a firefighter i can’t tell you what the inside of those cars look like… just because it looks okay from the outside, the engine compartment could’ve been pushed in from the impact. . . not to mention the impact outside has to go inside somewhere some how…
And as a body man/mechanic/licensed ins adjuster in Mass for 25+ years, I can make an educated guess, O smarmy and nasty one!
Your reply was completely unwarranted. Re-freekin-lax. Huh?
Oh, and if you want to get nasty, use an occasional cap with your unwarranted slap down to some one that may, just possibly, knows as much as you hope you do…. :-|
In your obvious need to be right, please remember that somebody passed away today and there is a family that is in agony right now. Do you really have to be so hateful?
Please, before you randomly slam me, read what I’ve already posted and in context (alien to many) to what’s already been said,huh?
I was the second one to post to this story and asked people to be nice. READ ON before you slam. Get the whole story first?
The next day:
Sorry to get angry; bad day. I hope that you read further and saw what my real sentiments were/are.
Because of my ‘know it all’ attitude (a long tome friend and his wife got me a T-shirt long ago that sez “I’m not opinionated! I’m just always right!”), I often get slammed by people rushing to the reply button before reading the whole thread first. Sorry if you and 10 others did just that.
My udder half is teaching a class at Mass General all weekend, so I’m a little cranked. I apologize to everyone I may have offended.
You tell the severity of a side impact crash (L or T type) by reduction of wheel base and how many inches the door intrudes into the passenger compartment. It’s hard to tell from the photo of the struck vehicle, but this looks like a moderate impact at most. The forces can still be severe, as is made obvious by the results of this accident.
I made this comment more than the disqus time of 1 hr ago. I’m only happy for more info, but nothing’s really changed, has it?
What’s the death toll this year now? Looks like we’re going to set a record just when highway deaths were at all time lows. So sad.
It’s said that things happen in threes, but this proves the variables. Giving repetitive condolences is tantamount to going to funerals of people we don’t know, but still mourn. It weighs on any caring soul. (That is a self serving ‘poor me’ attitude, isn’t it? Sorry.we don’t matter in these things; only to try for some kind of comfort to those left behind.) :-|
I hear ya old guy. after awhile it makes ya kindof numb
Strange how these things come in clumps. Read all the stats you want, but they are nothing but averages; they don’t tell the stories of the… ..I won’t ramble. You know what I mean.
WOW! Is it me or does it look like the white car got completely broadsided? One can only speculate as to whether or not the person in the white car was trying to turn and misjudged the distance and speed between their car and the oncoming car. I think we’ve all been there before, trying to hurry to get somewhere…I’ve been guilty of it myself a couple of times and I’ve almost had a close call or two because of it. If this is the case, I guess it is a prime example that hurrying to get somewhere isn’t going to help you get there any faster… :/
That’s what we thought when we passed it but the article said one was traveling south & the other north. Hard to say but I agree about being guilty of hurrying.It’s easy to misjudge speed & distance. Prayers for the deceased family & for the injured as well.
That intersection can have major sun glare issues as your waiting to make a turn. Plus if your unfamiliar with the area, you don’t realize there is a road there until your almost of top of it. Sorry to the families and drivers.
I have lived in the area all my life and there is a couple of ways to learn how to slow down, and you just seen one of them. May the Lord comfort the families involved.
That is a bad intersection alright, but not as bad as the immediate traffic light change at Rte.1 and 15, by the Irving gas station. Cars routinely drive through the red light as people have a near immediate green. If you aren’t used to the instant light change there will be a death there in no time. Chime in Bucksport residents..ya know what I mean!
Perhaps people shouldn’t drive through the red light. Red means STOP.
edit
I believe the discussion was about the light at the intersection of Rts 1 and 15; not the intersection at the site of this accident. Apologies if I misread wobblies12’s comment.
You are correct. Sorry!!
No problem – I could’ve as easily been wrong :-)
thats just plain tricky, you change lanes as youre entering the intersection. DOT really needs to rethink that pattern
I agree……if you are heading towards Orland at the stop light, you’re actually lined up with the oncoming traffic…………..what is up with that???
While it is absolutely true that there is an almost negligently short amount of time between red/green light at that intersection, I must disagree with your notion that the intersection at the stop light is more dangerous than the one which featured this accident yesterday.
For starters, consider the difference in speed limit at these two points. Twenty-five mph by Irving compared to FIFTY. Not to mention, the normal speed of most traffic going past that site in Orland must realistically average between 55-60. This speed factor alone negates your statement. One must then go on to consider the excellent point Brian Leeman made that a lot of times its almost impossible to see oncoming Route 1 traffic behind a vehicle turning towards the village. You are spot-on in that many people exercize ridiculously bad judgement going through that stop light, but you wont see a fatality there, just a boat load of fender benders and close calls. Hate to say it, but this probably won’t be the last fatal at/near that Orland scene.
That intersection was even worse a few years ago before they created the extra lane on the right for people to move into when going to the village. Before that it was impossible to see a car behind someone turning into the village and inexperienced drivers had multiple accidents there, two I know personally. While better it’s still a tricky spot. God Speed to the families of both ladies.
realistically?? 65-70
Odds are texting was NOT involved, so why drone on about it?
Thanks Odds person.
..
My sincere condolences to the families involved in this tragedy. I grew up at the corner of this intersection, have witnessed countless accidents here, and still prefer to go into Orland Village to make the left hand turn onto Route One during busy traffic situations.. It is a nightmare, because the twin lanes cause a second car to remain hidden behind the turning car, even under the best circumstances. It remains one of the most dangerous intersections in the state, in my opinion.
We have one of those same types of intersections in Blue Hill too. So many accidents there all the time and it’s because of that hidden lane.
It was at the top of the Castine Rd. Not at the other dangerous intersection you are thinking of.
that is nasty also there was another fatal crash on route i in waldoboro 4 people one died . route 1 can be nasty
Brian lived at the intersection the crash was at, he knows.
If you didnt assume texting why did you bring it up? Thats a rather rude reply to someone who doesnt deserve it.
by that logic, nobody could walk and text, or be a bus or train passenger and text, or send an emergency text if carjacked etc….
Lets nerf the world!
Carjacked? I don’t think that’s a big issue.
The technology can be engineered to prevent the driver only from texting etc.
OK. You get right on that.
Funny. But really Not. Do you not believe America can do that? I think we can!
Texting is not the only thing drivers can do to distract themselves. People have been crashing their cars while putting ketchup on their burgers, changing the 8-track tape, smacking their kids around, putting on make-up etc. for decades.
I am so very sorry for the families.
How sad for the family of the departed. Condolences.
sad story…i feel bad for the 65 year old woman too….at least she wont be charged as the other car hit her….so sad
‘According to the accident investigation, as Hewitt pulled out from Route
175, her vehicle was struck by Holmes’ vehicle, which was eastbound on
Routes 1 and 3.’
I pulled this from the above article. It clearly states that the deceased vehicle was hit by the 65 year old woman.
Now, that being said, there is no reason for the survivor to be charged, as Miss Hewitt’s car pulled out into the other woman’s path.
James left a loving comment – don’t belittle him for it.
I know the woman who was killed, not well, but still. I know she is leaving behind many people who love her, including small children.
Please keep those kids in your thoughts and prayers, as they have not only lost their mother, but also their sense of security. Last I knew, she was a single parent, which means those kids will end up moving, which is a difficult enough disruption, without adding the grief of losing a parent too.
So sorry….
Thank you. While I am saddened by her death, I am not as devastated as those close to her are. We worked together a couple of times, but weren’t really close. She had kids, and at that time, I didn’t, so it made hanging out difficult as we had different ideas of a good time.
I really only posted that I knew her, so that I could ask for thoughts and prayers for the 3 children she leaves behind. Her oldest is 9, and I want to say her youngest is 5 (though I could be wrong). Since she was their custodial parent, they are not only going to be mourning her loss, but will more than likely be uprooted and moved. I only hope that they get to stay together, as it will make things a TAD easier.
Hopefully her family will be able to take them in. It will be very hard for those young children, it is for anyone of any age and yet when you are that young, even more so. My prayers are with those poor little kids….
Such a tragedy. Will the people who insist on arguing for no real reason just find something else to do? Rude, spur of the moment comments achieve absolutely nothing.
I think people do it for the same reason people vandalize. It’s their way of “being somebody”.
You also didnt answer if you knew the area and as far as I can see most agree with me. The article DOES NOT state phones were involved at all. Please copy and post where that is in there.
I happen to go through that intersection a few times a year whenever riding in that area. Yes, the intersection poses it’s challenges, particularly due to the sped involved on rt.1/3. I have averted some close calls by just paying close attention when pulling out onto Rt.3. Just saying.
Again where does it say that???
My post said ” if ” for crying out loud.
ayuh. So a passenger in an automobile or on a bus (or a chairlift for that matter) shouldn’t be able to use their phone? Very smart idea you have there. Instead of questioning others reading comprehension skills perhaps it is you that shouldn’t use the BDN forums as a venue to air your less then intelligent ideas.
texting while driving is more dangerous than driving drunk
No, it is not.
Yes, it is. So the studies have shown.
As a Mercedes mechanic and an avid reader of many car rags,I can say that the technology is ready to be implemented for cars where only the passenger can play with phones and the “Info screens” etc while the car is in motion. There’s a timeline for this to happen, but it’s coming! :=)
Glad to hear that.
Be very afraid. CA has had experimental “sensor roads” for about 10 years where the cars can tailgate each other in harmony. Mercedes came up with the first production electronic brakes (no mechanical connection between the pedal and the hydraulics) 12 years ago. I could go on at the risk of boring people, but if you like driving, be afraid. :)
I sure hope so. I’m getting so sick of dodging idiots on the roads. It’s sad when we live in a society where some people are so dumb that we have to make technology to correct their fascinations with technology, but it’s true.
As an old time”love to drive guy”, I mourn the day. Just like the govt, the nannies are here for our cars.The other reg’s are coming and probably just in time.(?) .Sigh
No, I don’t believe in a conspiracy with everything. Pragmatism is my life! :)
That is an extremely dangerous intersection. Very, very sad. Melissa, may you rest in peace.
I reply to Jeezum……LOL! My comprehension is fine. I read and understood your comment very well, thank you. You should try being a little less rude. If you dont want to be called on the carpet for something you say, you should perhaps not introduce something that was not in the story.
LOL! My comprehension is fine. I read and understood your comment very well, thank you. You should try being a little less rude. If you do not want to be called on the carpet for something you said, don’t introduce it to the story. Nowhere in the story does it say anthing about texting, yet, you felt the need to express your opinion and introduce that topic, which means you did INDEED assume something. That’s pretty funny that you don’t ‘comprehend’ your own intentions! HAHHAHAAAA I won’t argue the point any further, and I won’t reply to your ravings any longer, I think my point is made.
Look, I simply offered an aside about texting and driving “if” it turned out to be a factor. I didn’t assume that it was a factor as evidenced by the first thing I said clearly that I did not know what caused the accident.
Then you should never have even brought it up. Simple as that.
What are you the BDN posting monitor?
Good grief.
Aren’t we the strident little rulemaker?
Pffft.
Well there, thats a lesson you shouldn’t forget.
Thanks Nana. Merry Christmas!
I realize you are trying to be funny, but it isnt. You should edit and remove your post.
I wasnt trying to be funny, at all. I was being completely serious. Its unfortunate this young woman is no longer alive an I am sure the family is devastated.
Not sure what you are trying to say, as your link leads to nowhere…
And your comment above is going to get removed as well. Just let their God statements go because if you don’t your account will get banned.
I’ve been warned twice by BDN staff for for doing what you are above. As much as you want to reply to a God comment, just let it go and move on unless your goal is to get banned.
Im right on the castine road…….but that intersection is a very bad one….they need at least a blinking light Id say in my opinion……so sorry for the familes loss.
Horrible intersection i responded to a lot of incidents involving that intersection in my time on that department it is next to impossible to judge speed at which anyone is driving coming off the castine road.
and by that i mean speeds someone is driving on route 1 which people have a habit of driving too fast on to begin with
In my experience, people drive too fast on every single road in the state.
they drive fast all over the state
Agreed. Going to Ellsworth is always an adventure because even if you are going 55mph, someone behind you wants to go 65+. I have less issues going to Belfast on Rt. 3.
I did not flag your reply. For many, saying the Lord bless this family, in a time of grief is an expression of sympathy and is common in this Christian nation in which we live. You comment made fun of such a gesture.
Ouch…that had to hurt.
Yeah I’m sure it did. Look at those poor cars. What a waste.
I remember when they put that stretch of road in, it is a horror show, needs a stop light for sure
78-79% of the U.S population is Christian (Pew,Gall ect) Down from the high 90’s from a few decades ago. Those numbers,added to the history of our Countries founding , We are most certainly a Christian Nation. Play with words all you like, wish it not to be so, but this still is the case.
“A nation
which does not remember what it was yesterday, does not know what it is today,
nor what it is trying to do. We are trying to do a futile thing if we do not know
where we came from or what we have been about…. America was born a Christian
nation. America was born to exemplify that devotion to the tenets of righteousness
which are derived from the revelations of Holy Scripture.” -W.Wilson
Befor you go to the “Founders were Deists or Agnostic” nonsense. Of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, 29 were
Anglicans, 16-18 were Calvinists, and among the rest were 2 Methodists, 2 Lutherans,
2 Roman Catholics, 1 lapsed Quaker-sometimes Anglican, and only 1 open Deist —
Benjamin Franklin who attended all Christian worships and called for public prayer.
So, as my Progressive know it all Friends or so found of saying,”Your argument is Invalid.”
Amen!
Read something other than Gleen Beck.
This is your Opinion , nothing more. Why you feel a need to express it during the most troubling of times for the many friends and family who might read this post, is a sad commentary on your worth .
Have you read the Decleration of Independence????
The Declaration doesn’t mention Jesus but can we find other ways to relate to each other please? We are not all alike in the US. It is a melting pot of cultures, at least that’s what we were taught growing up. So let’s get together and solve problems at hand. For example, how can we help this family?
Brilliantly said. An auto accident has claimed a life and somehow the discussion turns quickly into a religious battle? Take it elsewhere kids!
I think she is referring to Christian Faith in the Decleration. And yes indeed, I will continue to pray for this family.
I know this intersection all too well and am extremely cautious at it because it is hard to tell how fast someone is coming up.
So sorry for the family of Melissa.
i feel sorry for the lady that inpacted her. the fact that she ran into melissa that is a bad area all the way from hannaford to there any 4 corner there is that potential
Let it go DD, not the time or place for a religious confrontation.
this road all the way from hannaford in bucksport to 174 is a disaster waiting to happen. they should have a light at hannaford someday someone will pull out of hannaford and get slammed into. another thing is when lighflight is used the injuries are pretty serious. the bangor daily made a quote that the injuries were not life threatening . they should not say that when LifeFlight is used
Actually life flight is called for any injuries sustained at such impact that there is the possibility for internal bleeding or other trauma not visible to the naked eye. My sister was flown life flight. It was not nearly as bad as it seemed and it turns out she had a broken rib and leg. That was it. But they chose to life flight her because of the impact and the complaint of rib pain, which could potentially puncture a lung. It is not until after they arrive at the hospital that they can assess the true extent of these injuries.
they were doing cpr on one person as lifeflight was on its way they may have called it for the other woman first but then used it for the other lady. sad sad story! I also agree that coming out of hannaford in Bucksport is terrible yet most of the accidents that happen there are in the parking lot not rt 1. I tend to go right and up Hinks street and turn around depending of time of day.
weekends and summer are the worst with the tourists coming in and out
Thank you Kevin. My recent tour of the United States capital has me all confused. The various references and signage to “God We Trust” in the Capital Building, and in 2001 when each member of congress stood on the House steps and sang “God Bless America”, the Washington Monument that has a cornerstone of a Bible, and of course our various documents in our nation referencing God. Of course that means we are not a Christian nation – thank you for the clarification. (sarcasm intended) I will not dibate with you Kevin. I know you hate God and everything He stands for. I do not wish to change nor convert you.
How can I hate what I don’t believe in? Do you hate unicorns because I’m sure you don’t believe they are real either.
And once again, we are not a Christian Nation. Even the current President of the United States stated we are not. And just an FYI: 28 members of Congress don’t believe in God and Pete Stark who is a member of Congress is very open about his atheism.
Then why constantly leave messages about something that is inconsequential to you?? And of course we have to bring up the president. Many of us are aware that he uses church and religion as a way to foster votes. I have never believed for a minute this man is saved under God’s grace. Good day to you Kevin. I wish you many happy days and am moving on from this discussion. I am sure we will converse again but for now, these eyes have a Bible to read and a family to enjoy.