ORRINGTON, Maine — A Carmel man operating a motorcycle crossed the centerline on Route 15 Sunday afternoon and hit an oncoming car, resulting in the amputation of his leg and injuring his passenger, Sgt. Bill Birch of the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office said Monday.
John Gerald, 22, of Carmel and his passenger, Breanne Mcintyre, 23, of Newburgh are listed in serious condition at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Birch said.
Craig Woodard, 25, of Bucksport was driving a 2002 Saturn toward his home when Gerald, who was driving toward Brewer, collided with his vehicle at about 5:40 p.m. near Pleasant Hill Drive. After exiting his car, Woodard applied first aid to the badly injured motorcyclist.
“He said he learned in the Army what to do. He took off his belt and used it as a tourniquet [to stop Gerald’s bleeding],” Birch said. “He used his shirt to cover up the guy.”
Woodard did well to “keep his head and do what he could do” after the collision while waiting for the ambulance to arrive, Birch said
Investigators have not yet been able to interview the two on the motorcycle.
“At this time with the reconstruction, we’re looking into the vehicle and motorcycle for any possible defect … to see what led up to this accident,” Birch said. “The motorcycle crossed the centerline, right into the Saturn. We’re trying to find out why this happened.”
Deputy Ray Goodspeed is handling the forensic mapping for the investigation and Deputy Chris Watson is doing the reconstruction for the collision. Brewer and Orrington fire and ambulance crews assisted Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office personnel.
Birch, who rides a motorcycle himself, said this is the time of year when motorcycles return to the streets and operators and vehicle drivers need to be extra cautious.
“Be careful,” he said. “Never take for granted that people in cars see you.”