CORINTH, Maine — A South Berwick man was killed after the car he was driving collided with an oil truck on Route 15 Wednesday afternoon, police said.
The victim, 25-year-old Jason Cynewski, was driving northbound when he crossed the center of the road and struck the C.N. Brown heating oil truck head on, said Chief Deputy Troy Morton of the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office. Morton said Cynewski, who was staying with relatives in Corinth, died at the scene.
A man and a woman in the truck were taken to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor for treatment of minor injuries. The driver was Randall McKewen, 45, of Corinna and his passenger was Jennifer Swett, 39, of Dover-Foxcroft.
The crash occurred shortly after noon, Morton said from the scene. The Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Transportation were working to clean up diesel fuel that spilled from the truck’s fuel tank.
Morton said none of the truck’s oil supply spilled onto the road.
The crash occurred just north of the center of town near the You Wash It car wash, Morton said.
The accident remains under investigation, Morton said. A Maine State Police commercial vehicle also assisted at the scene, along with a reconstructionist from the state police.
BDN reporters Andrew Neff and Judy Harrison contributed to this story.
Thoughts and prayers for all involved.
There has been a lot of accidents by “crossing the center line” , why, I don’t know. Please people be alert and aware of where you are and what you are doing. There has been way to many deaths on our highways this year. Condolences to the families involved and hopes to a good recovery to everyone. Please people be alert when you are driving!
I’ve wondered the same thing, and the only true reason for it is a medical emergency. All else, whether radio, a screaming kid in the back seat, or a dropped cigarette in your crotch technically fit under the distracted driving category, don’t they? It’s a shame that people die and others are injured by inattention.
Can anyone else give a realistic reason how this all too common situation occurs?
This site is turning into an obituary column!
Sometimes when you are texting or answering emails the car drifts
That happens to me every time I go through my 8track library in the back seat… :)
Without implying any wrongdoing, I have been passed in no passing zones at least a dozen times in the past month. What’s more interesting than the epidemic of crazy passers is that there is actual math involved in passing or non passing zones. It is physically impossible, doing the speed limit, to see far enough if the pass is safe. And no one that passes illegally is doing the speed limit.
Regardless, be careful out there! You really never know.
Is it a vehicle mechanical issue that it drifts across the centerline?
Maybe a real claptrap that’s failed inspection for 2 years. Even if a tie rod end came apart, the one that didn’t would not let it suddenly drift. At speed, I don’t believe the caster would let it. :)
25 years old?,My guess would be texting.R.P.M.s,or Raised Pavement Markers installed on highways have been proven to “Wake the driver up” when crossing the lines,and yes they can be installed even in snow country so when the snow plows go over them by installing “recessed” R.P.M.s embedded in the pavement they dont get shaved off.Condolences to the family.
Whoa there, Captain Generalizer. I’m 23 and I never text while driving. I have a password on my phone as well which really prevents any temptations.
You might be surprised who I see texting & driving in the time it takes to smoke a cigarette. Plenty of busy middle age folks doing it these days too.
Not generalizing,just saying pretty probable….The truth will come out of what really happened.
There are rumble strips in a portion of the center line on Rt 9. I think it’s an excellent idea.
KEEP YOUREYES ON THE ROAD AND YOUR HANDS UPON THE WHEEL. (What a meaningful song) That vehicle your driving is a deadly weapon if not kept under control.Remember having a drivers license is a privilage, abuse it and you loose it. What i see drivers do on the road daily is really stupid moves, like running red lights passing in no passing zones, speeding to get nowhere fast, tailgaiting and the one that really gets me speeding through a school zone.
This is the second grandchild lost for Janice and Dick. God be with them all.
just reading comments below.. maine has one of the oldest community’s in the states. That being said when your doing the speed and limit and come up on a Sunday driver, (10 under or more usually) regardless of of what the lines in the road say, whats your first impulse, anyone that says just wait for them to pull off is lying . plus most of our towns are quite a distance from each other so we have to drive distances to get work,food, life’s necessities. so the question is really , why didn’t the driver see the oil truck?
I ALWAYS say if its GOOD WEATHER AND SAFE DO 55 IF IT SAYS 55! you’ll save lives.. going slower than posted in good conditions does not .
everyone involved in this crash is a victim, however the ones who survived will have to live with some one elses mistake for the rest of their lives, that makes them an innocent victim. My prayers to all involved.