An elderly woman died Monday when she crossed the centerline of Route 1 in Warren and struck an oncoming tractor-trailer.
Constance Chandler-Ward of Tenants Harbor died around 4 p.m., when she veered into the southbound lane of traffic, running head on into the rear wheels of the tractor-trailer, according to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
After striking the tractor-trailer, Chandler-Ward’s vehicle spun around before resting on its side. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the tractor-trailer, Jesse Moore, 45, of Falmouth, was not injured in the accident.
Police were en route to intercept Chandler-Ward when the incident occurred, according to Knox County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Patrick Polky.
Route 1 travelers had reported Chandler-Ward’s “erratic” driving as far south as Waldoboro, but police were unable to intercept Chandler-Ward in time.
Police are not certain, but they suspect a medical incident could have caused Chandler-Ward to drive erratically. Witnesses who had been following Chandler-Ward since Newcastle said her driving was initially fine, but then started to deteriorate as she traveled north on Route 1, Polky said.
The Medical Examiner’s Office will determine whether she was suffering from a medical incident at the time of the crash.
BDN staff writer Callie Ferguson contributed to this report.
Follow the Bangor Daily News on Facebook for the latest Maine news.