Driver inattention causes crash
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
CASTLE HILL — An accident late in the afternoon of March 21 is being blamed on driver inattention, according to the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office.
“On Wednesday, March 21, the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of a motor vehicle accident on Route 227 (State Road) in Castle Hill,” said Sgt. Forrest Dudley, ACSO.
“Christopher Johnson, 25, was operating a 2001 Nissan Xterra westbound on Route 227. The passenger tires of the vehicle dropped off the pavement onto the soft shoulder of the road,’ said Dudley. “Johnson was unable to maintain control of the motor vehicle due to the soft shoulder, drove into the ditch and struck a culvert, becoming airborne.”
Dudley said the vehicle came to rest on its wheels in the ditch.
A passenger, identified as Alicia Saucier, 19, was transported to The Aroostook Medical Center by Crown Ambulance, where she was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Christopher Bragg, 30, was also a passenger in the vehicle. Bragg and Johnson were not injured.
Deputy Vance Palmer was the primary investigator in the accident. Also assisting at the scene were members of the Mapleton fire Department.
“The vehicle sustained about $4,000 in damage. Deputy Palmer has attributed this accident to failure to maintain control of a motor vehicle — distracted driving,” said Dudley.
No charges are pending.
