NAPLES, Maine — Speed and alcohol allegedly were factors in a crash that claimed the life of one man and sent another to the hospital early Friday, according to police.
Cumberland County sheriff’s deputies received a report of a single-vehicle accident just before 4:30 a.m., according to Capt. Don Goulet, after a resident walking a dog discovered the wreckage.
Richard D. Griffin, 51, of Peabody, Mass., reportedly was operating the 2003 Chevy Blazer when it left Thompson Cove Road and struck a tree, crushing the vehicle. His passenger, William Schneider, 22, of Falmouth, was pronounced dead at the scene, Goulet said.
Griffin was taken by LifeFlight helicopter to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston with life-threatening injuries, the captain said.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation, although it appears speed and alcohol were contributing factors, Goulet said.
Is it me or have we had just about 1 fatal accident per day for the last few weeks? This is so sad! May that man rest in peace.
Gas + Alcohol = Death. Seems like there is a lot of this lately. Sad.
It’s always the drunk driver that lives.
I hope the driver gets as much prison time as humanly possible.
there’s no need of this continuing to happen.
always a passenger and never a drive that ends up dead…..kids, booze and cars, not a good mix lately here in Maine…..
I agree there are a lot of kids!!!!, but this was no kid at 51 years old, the driver should have known better.
alcohol and vehicles in general doesn’t mix. it doesn’t matter if it’s a young driver or an older more exp. driver. drinking and driving kills people plain and simple… with that said condolences to the family of this individual. may you find peace and comfort from your family and friends in your time of sadness and grieving
How many vehicle deaths does this make for Maine this year? Seems to be way more this year than pasts…so sad!
Yes so far this year traffic fatalities are up 53% from last year. It’s getting really dangerous out there. http://bangor-launch.newspackstaging.com/2012/05/14/news/state/fatalities-on-maine-roads-up-53-percent-compared-with-this-time-last-year
Completely and totally avoidable and unnecessary. People harp on kids for making stupid decisions? Some of the kids I know are far smarter than this. Wake up people! I feel so sad for his family..my condolences to them. However, I’m glad one of my (or some other innocent person’s) family was not driving in that wrong place at the wrong time when this drunk driver came through and lost it! Forgive my lack of sympathy. I’m just getting sick of hearing about drinking and driving, texting and driving, speeding crashes!