WATERVILLE, Maine — A Fairfield motorcyclist is in critical condition after slamming into the back of a vehicle whose driver had braked quickly to avoid a third vehicle backing out of a driveway, Deputy Chief Charles J. Rumsey IV said Friday.
James Bolduc, 53, was driving a blue 2013 Harley Davidson motorcycle on College Avenue at the intersection of Cottage Street at about 3:40 p.m. Thursday when the collision occurred. Bolduc attempted to avoid a green 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Kenneth Merchant, 50, of Fairfield, but was not able to, Rumsey said. Merchant “slammed on his brakes to avoid a car,” he said.
“Bolduc, who was traveling behind Merchant, swerved to the left and his motorcycle struck the driver’s side rear of Merchant’s SUV,” the deputy chief said in a press release. “After striking the SUV, Mr. Bolduc and his bike tumbled into the southbound left-hand lane and came to rest. Mr. Bolduc was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.”
“He suffered a serious head injury,” Rumsey said.
Bolduc was initially taken by Delta Ambulance to MaineGeneral Medical Center’s Thayer Unit, and was later flown by LifeFlight to Maine Medical Center in Portland.
“He was in critical condition when he left and, as of the last update, is still in critical condition,” Rumsey said.
College Avenue was closed to traffic and the Maine State Police crash reconstruction unit was requested to assist Waterville police at the crash scene. Deputy District Attorney Paul Cavanaugh and Assistant District Attorney Frank Griffin also responded to examine the crash scene and consult with investigating officers, Rumsey said.
Arbo’s Towing Service took away the two damaged vehicles and, once the reconstruction investigation was completed at around 7 p.m., the road reopened.
The crash remains under investigation, Ramsey said.