WARREN, Maine — A 19-year-old Connecticut man died Sunday afternoon in a two-car crash at the intersection of Route 90 and Western Road in Warren.
A preliminary review indicates that a white 2026 Ram pickup, operated by Churchill Burwell, 19, of New Haven, Connecticut, entered the intersection from the north side approach of Western Road. The pickup struck an eastbound 2024 Toyota Corolla traveling on Route 90, also known as Camden Road, operated by Margaret Coleman, 48, of Whitefield.
Burwell died of his injuries at the scene. Coleman suffered severe, life-threatening injuries and was taken by ambulance to a critical care center in Portland.
A juvenile passenger in her vehicle was transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation
The crash occurred at approximately 1:20 p.m.
Knox Regional Communications Center received emergency calls reporting the crash. First responders arriving on the scene discovered two heavily damaged vehicles that had come to rest in an adjacent field.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy, and our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the families affected by this devastating incident,” Knox County Sheriff Patrick Polky said. “We are entirely focused on uncovering exactly what happened. A reconstruction team is working diligently on the scene to map out the precise details of the collision. We ask for the community’s patience and prayers for the families as our active investigation continues.”
The exact mechanics of the crash remain under investigation by a specialized accident reconstruction team. Further factual details will be released to the public as they are formally verified, the sheriff said.
The intersection has one of the highest crash rates with injuries in Knox County. From 2023 through 2025, there have been 11 crashes with a total of 18 people injured, according to statistics from the Maine Department of Transportation.
In 2023, the state was conducting preliminary engineering for a roundabout at the intersection.
The speed limit on both sides of Western Road at the intersection is 35 miles per hour. The speed limit on that section of Route 90 is 50.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office thanked the numerous mutual aid partners who provided critical scene management, medical assistance, and emergency response logistics for the crash. Those included the Knox County Communication Center, Warren Fire Department and Rescue, Waldoboro EMS, Maine State Police, Maine State Marine Patrol, the Rockland Police Department, the Knox County district attorney’s office, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, and Creek Hill Towing.
This story appears through a media partnership with Midcoast Villager.