Maine Department of Public Safety

COMMUNICATOR

Compiled by the Public Information Office

May 2, 2008

 

The Governor at Maine Emergency Management in Augusta Thursday listening to reports from around the state on the flooding. State Police, EMS and Fire Marshals, along with Commissioner Jordan, were part of the response team that monitored the Aroostook County flood from the MEMA operations center during the week.

 (more Fort Kent photos included)

 

This has been a deadly week on Maine roads with six people killed since Monday.  The fatal crashes took place on the turnpike in Ogunquit where two people died in a head on collision. The other crashes were in Raymond, Brunswick, Sanford and Palmyra. 

 

Trooper Philip Alexander is heading up the investigation into the fatal turnpike crash that he witnessed and has 30 days to complete his final report. The York County District Attorney's Office will be consulted before any decision is made on possible charges against the driver of a SUV that was driving in the wrong lane and slammed into a car Monday night on the turnpike in Ogunquit. The SUV’s driver, Donna Bartlett, 38, of Wells survived the crash with minor injuries.  Police say alcohol is suspected in the crash that killed the limo driver and his 15 year old passenger. Trooper Alexander caught up with the wrong way vehicle and was attempting to get the driver's attention from the opposite lane of the turnpike with emergency lights and siren when the crash took place.

 

Troopers also investigated a fatal crash Monday afternoon on Route 85 in Raymond where the 40 year old driver lost control of his Cadillac and went off the road and struck a tree on the driver's side. Brunswick Police say alcohol was a factor in a fatal crash that killed a Brunswick woman, and Sanford Police said a woman riding a bicycle was struck and killed Monday afternoon in a collision with a logging truck. Troopers also investigated a fatal crash in Palmyra on Wednesday afternoon that killed a 76 year old man.

 

The Bureau of Highway Safety says that 49 people have been killed on Maine roads so far this year. That compares with 44 highway deaths during the same period in 2007.

 

The state’s homicide number now stands at 15 for the year. The latest death was a 63 year old homeless man from Bangor who was beaten to death last weekend in an area known as “The Pines” adjacent to Interstate 95.  Bangor Police have arrested a second homeless man and charged him with manslaughter.  Last week, a young man was shot to death inside a house in Bradley and his assailant later committed suicide.  Also last week, a Portland man was charged with shooting another man in front of his house. Of the 15 homicides so far, 11 are connected to domestic violence.

 

DOWNTOWN FORT KENT

DAMAGE TO THE NORTH PERLEY BROOK ROAD, FORT KENT

THE COMMAND POST SET UP FOR EMERGENCY RESPONDERS

AT THE LONESOME PINES SKI TRAIL

THE FISH RIVER OVERFLOWING THE MAIN ST. BRIDGE

 

FLOOD PHOTOS FROM ROBIN LEVASSEUR OF FORT KENT,

 VIA FIRE MARSHAL INSPECTOR GREG DAY.