Winter weather conditions have been a hodge-podge of rain, sleet and snow over the last few weeks; warmer temperatures have caused drivers who’d normally have months of driving on snow under their belted radials by now to forget their winter driving skills, leading to a number of accidents.
Law enforcement officials have been busy answering calls throughout Aroostook County, responding to everything from minor fender benders to more serious accidents involving rollovers and collisions involving thousands of dollars in damage to property and injuries to those involved.
Monday was no exception, as wet snow turned to sleet and then rain by the middle of the day. The mixture caused slushy driving conditions, causing a number of vehicles to go off the road or slip, striking other vehicles.
Unlike their counterparts elsewhere in the area, the Ashland Police Department reported a relatively quiet day.
“I came across one car off the road when I was driving toward Eagle Lake last night. Other than that, it was pretty quiet up here. We didn’t have any accidents to speak of. But I did hear the Maine State Police responded to a few in the outlying areas around Ashland,” said Police Chief Cyr Martin.
Mars Hill officials reported snow quickly changed to rain in their region, preventing the icy mixture that caused problems in communities to the north.
“Roads were slippery, especially side and back roads, until our crews got the sand and salt out. It turned from snow to rain quickly; we didn’t have as long a period of freezing rain and sleet as areas to the north,” said Town Manager Ray Mersereau.
Mersereau said there were “no abnormal problems” that he was aware of due to the Jan. 8 storm.
“We didn’t have any major accidents that I’m aware of. Route 1 was pretty good all day. It was slippery in the morning but not really hazardous. The state did a good job clearing it,” said Mersereau.
Presque Isle didn’t fare as well, as the police department responded to several accident reports throughout the day.
“We had several calls but they were spaced out, with no serious injuries to speak of. There was no flurry of calls all at once,” said Dispatcher Tom King, of the PIPD.
Presque officers answered calls from the Washburn Road, to the Mapleton and Fort Roads, before the storm ended later in the evening. Assistance was rendered by Crown Ambulance, the Presque Isle Fire Department and local wrecker services, including: Jerry’s, Cowett’s and TA Service – all of Presque Isle – and Bernier’s, of Mapleton.
Shortly after 9 a.m., Sgt. Joey Seeley and Officer Craig Holder responded to a call that a car had gone off the Washburn Road. Upon arrival, they found a 1996 Dodge Concord had gone down an embankment and into a shallow stream. According to the police report, Brenda Clayton, 43, of Washburn, lost control on the snow-covered road, swerving off the northerly side, traveling down the bank and ending up in the stream. The Department of Environmental Protection was notified and later determined the scene to be safe. Clayton wasn’t seriously injured in the accident. TA Service was called to remove the vehicle. There was no estimate on damage.
A multiple-vehicle accident involving at least two delivery-type trucks was reported around 12:29 p.m. on the Mapleton Road. The report had not been completed as of press time but officials indicated there were no serious injuries involved.
A DOT plow truck driver found himself in the ditch on the Fort Road around 4 p.m. When attempting to turn into the Quoggey Jo parking lot driveway, the truck appeared to be too close to edge and slid into the ditch. Officials indicated the cause was probably a combination of the load of sand shifting as the truck slid on the wet snow, causing the vehicle to tilt. Officer Craig Holder responded to the accident. DOT was notified and made arrangements to get the plow back on the road. No one was injured in the incident.
Washburn’s police department also responded to several reports of accidents in their coverage area. Details on those weren’t readily available at press time. One accident on the Washburn Road involved a pregnant woman who went off the road. She was not seriously injured.
“We also had a truck go off the Tabor Road, breaking a telephone pole completely off. The airbags deployed and no one was injured,” said Chief Doug Conroy of the WPD.
On Jan. 5, area police responded to several calls, particularly early in the day when roads were reported to be a bit slippery in spots.
The most serious involved a jack-knifed tanker truck on the Cleaves Road in Presque Isle.
Torrie Charette, 47, of Presque Isle, was traveling east in a 2006 Jeep. Unable to make the hill, she pulled her vehicle to the shoulder. Jacob W. Roberts, 60, of South Carolina, was traveling behind Charette in a tanker truck. He attempted to pass Charette but also found himself unable to make the hill. When the tanker started to roll back toward Charette, she attempted to drive her vehicle across the road and off the left side. Roberts continued to slide, jackknifing his unit in an attempt to avoid striking Charette. Contact was made between the right rear mud flap frame of the tractor and the left rear taillight area of the Jeep. No estimate was available on either vehicle.
No injuries were sustained as the result of the accident. Charette was able to drive her Jeep away from the scene. Sgt. Laurie Kelley, who investigated the accident, notified Public Works to sand that section of road.
Presque Isle police responded to the McBurnie Road for a rollover about a week ago, caused by snow-covered roads. No one was injured but two wreckers from Cowett’s were required to remove an SUV and the trailer it was hauling from the ditch where they landed.
The Fort Fairfield Police Department reported several fender benders in their region as well in recent weeks.
Officials advise drivers to use caution when traveling during winter months, especially when weather conditions are poor. Reduce speeds and allow more time to reach your destination, clear windows of snow to provide better visibility and use headlights both day and night. Carry a blanket, water and flashlight with you when you travel. If you have a cell phone, carry it with you in case you need to contact emergency personnel.
“Posted speed limits are for optimal driving conditions. When conditions worsen, especially during winter months, drivers should reduce their speed accordingly,” said Chief Naldo Gagnon, of the Presque Isle Police Department.
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