NEW CANADA, Maine — Poor driving conditions and snow-covered roads likely contributed to a head-on collision Sunday, according to police.
The crash, which occurred on the Caribou Road in New Canada, involved three vehicles, Shannon Moss, a spokesperson for the Maine State Police, said Tuesday.
Leah Caldwell, 35, of Limestone, who was driving a 2023 Toyota RAV4 when she crossed the centerline into the opposing lane and crashed into a 2024 Dodge Ram pickup driven by Rudolph St. Peter, 75, of Cross Lake Township.
At the same time, Wayne Pelletier, 59, of Fort Kent was traveling behind Caldwell and unable to avoid the crash. He struck the other vehicles and slid off the road.
Alycia Fox, 36, was riding as a passenger in Caldwell’s car. Pelletier and St. Peter were alone in their vehicles, according to police.
Caldwell, Fox and St. Peter were taken to Northern Maine Medical Center in Fort Kent. They sustained serious injuries not considered life-threatening, Moss said.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Caldwell likely lost control of her vehicle due to icy and snowy road conditions, Moss said, adding that the investigation is ongoing.
The Fort Kent Fire Department, the Maine Warden Service, the Maine Forest Service, Ambulance Service Inc. of Fort Kent and the Madawaska Ambulance Service assisted the state police.