LEE, Maine — Four females were injured, one seriously, and a dog was apparently missing after a collision between a pickup truck and convertible on Route 6 near the Springfield line early Saturday afternoon, firefighters said.
Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. William Birch and sheriff’s deputies were still collecting details early Saturday afternoon, but Lee firefighters said an elderly woman driving the Chrysler LeBaron convertible might have suffered serious head injuries.
Early radio reports indicated that LifeFlight helicopter was called to the accident but that could not be confirmed. Two Penobscot Valley Hospital ambulances took the injured to the Lincoln hospital, possibly for transfer to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor via ambulance or LifeFlight.
Lee volunteer firefighter Tom Donahue said the elderly woman, whose name was not available, told him she was driving west on Route 6 on her way to work when the eastbound silver Chevy Silverado turned into her lane suddenly, apparently headed toward Town Line Road.
An unidentified younger woman and her two children, girls ages 5 and 11, were in the pickup truck and suffered slight injuries, Lee Fire Chief Jay Crocker said, but the elderly woman suffered severe facial injuries.
“We also had a dog. I am not sure if we found the dog or not,” Crocker said.
The accident was first reported at about 12:35 p.m., a dispatcher from Penobscot Regional Communications Center said. As many as 25 Lee and Springfield volunteer firefighters assisted at the accident scene.
Firefighters had to use a cutting tool to free the elderly woman from her car. Both vehicles had air bags that deployed. It was unclear whether the drivers and passengers were wearing seat belts.
Firefighters closed down Route 6 traffic to one lane during the accident. The accident occurred yards away from the Springfield town line on a straight section of Route 6.
The LeBaron came to rest or was propelled down a short embankment just off the road and was totalled. The Chevy pickup had extensive front-end damage but appeared salvageable.
Birch said he expected to have more details of the accident later Saturday afternoon.
Second accident on rte 6 in two days — wow —- what is wrong with that road???
Or driver(s)
yep, you are probably right!! I am just used to that road being in horrid condition constantly— or being on the constant outlook for deer and moose!!!
I grew up next to the Lee/Springfield line. In 20 years, I saw many deceased and/or severely injured people on that short stretch of road. Will never forget the 2 college boys, heading home to Canada for Thanksgiving. Didn’t make the turn and died in our front yard. I don’t care how many times they widen it or pave it, it’s a cursed piece of road.
I didn’t see anything wrong with the road in that particular section. The lines of sight from Town Line Road might have been somewhat compromised by the road’s downward slope away from Route 6 and some fairly high grass there, but the accident wasn’t caused by that. I doubt one could be. And this isn’t on any of the sharp curves on the road in that area, nor is the pavement in bad shape. This might just be a case of driver error.
OSHA will have fun with those pics.
why?
I don’t believe this was work related. OSHA prob won’t be involved.
It is bureau of Labor that the Lee Fire department needs to be worried about, I am sure they will be showing up to speak to them soon, get the check book ready Chief Crocker . Wish all involved a speedy recovery. Maine Roads have been dangerous lately.
Firefighters on a crash scene with no PPE. Those nitrile gloves won’t protect his hands from sharp metal and/or glass and no eye protection while using tools like that. Even though fire depts are generally volunteer they are still held to OSHA standards.
Seriously how complacent and reckless are people these days. I know that accidents like this do happen from time to time but here lately you are literally taking your life into your hands when you get behind the wheel of a vehicle. How in the world do you not see a bright red convertible coming at you?
I totally agree with you. I have a bright red cavalier I have had for a little over a year now and I had a gold one before this and I have been rear ended 4 times already! Thank god they havent done too much damage (cavaliers do tend to crunch easy) I have a crack in my bumper but its BRIGHT RED! Guess we need to put some white on them and officially make them bullseyes
I have a red van, and I don’t know how many times I have nearly gotten hit, run over, etc.
People run red lights a lot too, and stop signs, I am thinking there is some sort of link between certain drivers and the color red.
When you aren’t even watching the road, thats how.
How do you NOT see a huge silver truck turning in front of you? and how does such a small car turn a full size quad silverado 180 degrees? how fast was she going?
You’re kidding right? Any kid in drivers education knows that turning traffic has to yield the right of way, and can only turn when the way is clear for them to do so with out impeding the flow of traffic. The pick up driver was clearly in the wrong here.
Is that Proper PPE?
Holy potato! More accidents today. I want everyone to drive like your life depends on it. Let’s all have a healthy summer.
Good advice, but the only people who will see the wisdom in your words are the people who already drive that way, which isn’t too many.
People were rewarded for doing bad for too long now and they figure if they cause a accident, not only will they not be blamed and disciplined someone will give them a ribbon for being the “last winner”.
“The first thing we must recognize is that crashes are not accidents.”
-Ricardo Martinez, M.D., NHTSA Administrator, 1997