Man seriously injured in rollover
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
FORT FAIRFIELD — A Presque Isle man was seriously injured when the vehicle he was riding in rolled over along a section of Paige Road.
“On Tuesday, May 1, the Fort Fairfield Police Department responded around 2:45 p.m. to a reported single-vehicle rollover on the Paige Road. Officers arrived and found four passengers were in the vehicle,” said Sgt. Shawn Newell, FFPD.
According to Newell, the 2004 Mercury Sable was being operated by 18-year-old Ashlee Doughty, of Fort Fairfield.
“A 22-year-old male passenger was partially ejected from the vehicle and suffered possible broken bones and multiple lacerations,” said Newell.
The victim was later identified as Austin Hilton, of Presque Isle. Hilton was reportedly riding in the back on the passenger’s side and was not wearing a seatbelt.
Newell said two other passengers were also riding in the vehicle, both 20 years old. Each complained of pain and abrasions.
“All four occupants were transported to The Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle by Crown Ambulance,” said Newell.
Investigating officers were unable to determine if seatbelts had been in use at the time the rollover occurred.
Speed is believed to be the primary cause of the crash. The vehicle was a total loss.
“Hilton’s injuries were later determined to be serious and he was flown to a Bangor hospital for treatment of pelvic and back injuries,” said Newell. Doughty and two other passengers were treated at TAMC and later released.
The Fort Fairfield Fire Department, Maine Warden Service, U.S. Border Patrol and Maine State Police assisted the FFPD at the scene.
Charges are pending.
