FREEDOM, Maine — State police say a well-known Belfast businesswoman was killed Saturday morning when her pickup truck slid off Route 137 in Freedom and struck a tree.
The woman’s granddaughter escaped the crash with minor injuries.
Maine State Police Trooper Donald Webber said 64-year-old Ruth Holmes was dead at the scene of the crash that occurred shortly after 7 a.m. Her granddaughter — 11-year-old Cassie Jackson of Searsport — suffered bumps and bruises and was treated at Waldo County General Hospital in Belfast.
The trooper reported that Holmes lost control of the truck on the ice-covered road. The truck flipped on its side and slid into a tree, crushing the roof. Both Holmes and her granddaughter were wearing their seat belts.
Holmes and her family have operated Holmes Greenhouse and Florist Shop in Belfast for years. Her husband Allen retired last month as the Belfast High School field hockey coach, after serving as coach for 40 years. Allen Holmes also is a retired physical education teacher at the Belfast Middle School.
Beyond tragic. At a loss for words. My heart breaks for her entire family, friends and our entire community. We love you Holmes family.
so very sorry… what a nice lady and family…. haven’t seen them in a few years… but my heart and prayers are with you all
So sorry to hear this! Mrs.Holmes was a great teacher. She will be truly missed. Very sad news.
So sorry to hear this! Mrs.Holmes was a great teacher. She will be truly missed. Very sad news.
My condolences to the family.Ruth was a wonderful caring woman who I always thought the world of! My hearth breaks for them all. We will say a special prayer for you
Horrible.
such a tragedy my prayers and thoughts to allen and the whole family
I am sorry for the Holmes family for their loss.
“Belfast Middle School”?
That would be Troy A. Howard Middle School.
really??? u are gonna complain about a name of a school? Not the death of a very nice lady?
A lady lost her life and you’re worried about the school name? You certainly are one pathetic individual with some obvious self esteem problems based on your posting history.
My condolences to Allen and his family.
I know I commented earlier, but I just find it so surreal. I have known Ruth my entire life, she was my teacher in ’97 and our families have always been very close. It’s just hard to believe this happened.
Just the headline made my heart catch in my throat….now I truly understand that expression. What a tragedy for this entire community.
Wow…Really, on something so tragic you are going to comment with “this was obviously an accident caused by speed and reckless driving” when clearly in the article it says “The trooper reported that Holmes lost control of the truck on the ice-covered road.” .
If it was anything to do with speed and reckless driving, they would have said it.
I don’t agree that it was anything that could have been controlled, roads get icy, especially with the weather we have been having, anything is possible.
My thoughts are with the family to Mrs. Holmes.
Or ice like it says in the article.
Not real witty are you? This is as poor of attempt at humor that I’ve seen in sometime and I’m a sick individual.
This is kick in the gut, heartbreaking news. A mighty blow to a beautiful family. Linda B.H. is walking with her friend again………
Sorry to hear this. Allen Holmes is a first-class guy. My condolences to the Holmes family.