HAMPDEN, Maine — A United Parcel Service delivery driver had a close call Monday afternoon after a woman driving southbound on Main Road crashed her car into the left side of his truck and wound up in a driveway across the road.
“We’re not sure on the exact cause. It wasn’t speed or alcohol, but sun could have been an issue,” said Hampden police Officer Shawn Devine.
Virginia Trundy, 80, of Winterport was driving her 2001 Lincoln Continental south around 1:20 p.m. when her car struck the left rear of a 1989 GMC UPS truck operated by Darren Robinson of Newburgh.
According to Devine, Robinson was in the front of the truck getting some packages ready to deliver when the vehicle was hit. Trundy’s car continued on across the road and into the opposite lane before coming to a stop in a nearby driveway.
Both Hampden police and an ambulance responded to the accident.
“The UPS driver complained of neck pain and she complained of pain from contact with the air bag and was taken to the hospital, but injuries didn’t appear life-threatening,” Devine said.
Southbound traffic had to be shut down briefly while the Lincoln Continental, which was undriveable and possibly totaled, was hooked up to be towed. The UPS truck was driveable.
And Junior said, “Gran, you’re gonna drive me to drinkin’ / If you don’t stop racin’ that hot rod Lincoln.”
Clearly, Granny was out of control.
“We’re not sure on the exact cause. It wasn’t speed or alcohol, but sun could have been an issue,”
Without even seeing the accident or knowing any of the facts I can already tell you the exact cause. An 80 year old woman who shouldn’t be on the road, driving a boat of a car is the cause. Why is it that people in their 70s-80s always seem to have the biggest, most difficult to drive vehicles. Not that driving a Ford Focus would have prevented this accident but it would prevent a lot of the parking lot mishaps you commonly see. When I get old I want to have the smallest, most easily maneuverable car, not some behemoth that drives like a tank.
This is yet another prime example of why we should be giving road tests to those over 70-75. There are so many elderly folks in Maine and so many of them have no business being on the road, yet the state keeps giving them a license to hurt others, cause property damage, and even kill others. Not that everyone falls into this category because I know a few people who are 80+ that drive better than some in their 40s but a road test would pick this up and allow those who are able to continue driving.
“Without even seeing the accident or knowing any of the facts I can already tell you the exact cause.”
That’s amazing.
Print this and read it again when you reach your 70th birthday. See how much you agree with your comments and your knowledge of the “exact cause”!
Licensed drivers should have to take a driver’s test every 5yrs starting at age 65.
I’m 64 and I’ve just taken a densfensive driving course this summer and the Maine Driving Dynamics Course this month. Laws and the way people drive are changing.
It seems there are incidents every week with someone over 65 … driving into a house, a restaurant, etc. I have a friend who is 81 … should not be driving. Made a left hand turn at a Red Light. Told the officer that since no-one was coming either way she turned left-on-red ….. why? Because you can turn right-on-red. Go figure.
More senior citizens making the roads dangerous.
Mom is resurrected from the dead once again. She drove down a flight of stairs once. Sad and complex issue for oldsters and their families. Hope the UPS driver is OK.
of course the postal worker would complain of pain. Gotta milk the government for workmen’s comp and take the holidays off! ;-)
United Parcel Service – UPS is now part of the Post Office? When did that happen? Always best to Read before you Rant
Another mentally incompetent elderly driver. From age 60 to age 70, people’s driving skills, reaction time and judgement should be checked every 5 years. At age 70, they should be checked every 2 years. At age 80, they should be checked every 6 months. BTW, I’m 60 and have no problem with having my driving skills, reaction time and judgement checked – better than needlessly hurting someone else. Would also be a good reason to think about creating a better public transportation system. I think we need that more than tax breaks for rich folks and letting unions be exempt from Affordable Care regulations the rest of the nation will have to put up with… .