August 22, 2020

MDIFW NEWS: Freedom Man, Readfield Man Die in separate ATV Crashes This Morning

Editor's note: A third ATV fatal occurred earlier tonight. Wardens are still on scene and details will be released tomorrow.

Augusta, Maine - Two Maine men died this morning in separate ATV crashes in Anson and The Forks when they lost control of their ATVs.

"ATV riding can be a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors when they are driven properly," said Game Warden Corporal John MacDonald. Always wear your helmet, always ride under control, always ride sober and stay on marked trails.

In Anson, Maine, a 69-year-old Freedom man was killed this morning when he was thrown from the ATV he was riding on a trail in Solon.

Roland Robitaille was second in a line of seven ATVs riding on a trail behind the Solon Road in Anson at approximately 10:40 this morning when he went over a bridge on the trail, lost control of his 2017 Yamaha Grizzly ATV, rolled, and was thrown off the ATV.

Robitaille, who was not wearing a helmet, was found face down in the trail by the by the ATVs following in his group, with severe trauma to his head and chest. His group called 911, and performed CPR until rescue personnel arrived, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, and was transported to a funeral home in Skowhegan.

The Maine Warden Service was assisted by the Anson Fire Department, and Anson-Madison Rescue. No more information is available at the time.

In The Forks, Maine, a 32-year-old Readfield man died when he lost control and flipped his ATV. Joshua Violette was the fifth ATV traveling in a group of nine ATVs on the Divide Road in the Forks when he hit a depression in the road, lost control and flipped his 2007 Polaris Sportsman 500 ATV at approximately 10:00 a.m. this morning. Violette died at the scene. His passenger, 33-year-old Ashlie Dostie of Mt. Vernon suffered non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Reddington Fairview Hospital in Skowhegan. Neither Violette or Dostie were wearing helmets.

The Maine Wardens Service, West Forks Fire and Rescue, and Upper Kennebec Valley Ambulance all responded to the incident. No further information is available currently.