UNION, Maine — A teenager was seriously injured and another driver also hospitalized after a car crash Saturday morning on Route 17.
According to a news release from Knox County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Tim Carroll, a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu driven by a 16-year-old girl drove onto Route 17 from the North Union Road and into the path of a westbound 2001 Honda Accord driven by Dianne Collins, 59, of Rockland.
Collins was unable to stop and struck the teen’s vehicle on the driver’s side door.
Both drivers were taken to Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport. Collins was listed in stable condition while the 16-year-old girl was in more serious condition, according to Carroll. He said midday Saturday there were discussions of her being transported to another hospital.
The teen’s name is not being released because she is a juvenile, Carroll said.
The crash occurred at about 7 a.m.
A LifeFlight helicopter was called because of the teen’s injuries, but the helicopter was unable to respond because of poor weather conditions. The heavy fog was considered to be the primary factor in the crash, he said.
Deputy John Hansen is investigating the crash. Crews from the Union Fire Department, Union Ambulance Service and Sterling Ambulance responded to the crash.
This mornings driving conditions made this accident tough to avoid. Side impact accidents remain one of the hardest collisions in which to protect passengers. Neither of these cars has side impact air bags or knee air bags. In a lot cases side bags just won’t matter that much anyway as there just isn’t enough steel between the driver and the front of the other car involved. Cars 10 years newer have better protective cages, 10 air bags, and other protective systems.Some day every car will be equipped with Pre- collision systems that apply the brakes for you. Some high line cars have that feature now. I hope both of these ladies make a full recovery very soon.
that intersection is bad on a good day, just cann’t see down the hill towards Union, had a few close calls there myself.
I live in Arizona now and thought that exact same thing as we drove through that intersection in pouring rain 3 weeks ago tonight.
It was foggy this morning, and that intersection’s visibility leaves a lot to be desired on a good day. I hope she’s going to be ok and has a speedy recovery. We’ll be keeping you and your family in our prayers.
Thanks to all who responded and was with the injured until they were treated.