Slippery road conditions
being blamed for Rt. 167 crash
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
FORT FAIRFIELD — A local woman has died following a two-vehicle crash Thursday night on the Presque Isle Road/Route 167.
Poor road conditions were being blamed for the accident that critically injured one driver and resulted in injuries to the driver and passenger of a second vehicle.
“On Thursday, Jan. 10, around 6 p.m., the Fort Fairfield Police Department responded to a two-vehicle crash on Route 167 — also known as the Presque Isle Road — in Fort Fairfield. Donna Kenneson, 53, of Fort Fairfield, was operating a 2005 Subaru Forester in the northbound lane near Shapiro Hill. Kenneson lost control of her vehicle and crossed into the opposite lane, hitting a car driven by a Canadian resident,” said Sgt. Shawn Newell, FFPD, who investigated the crash.
“Jason Longstaff, 39, of Tinker, New Brunswick, was traveling southbound toward Presque Isle in his Chevrolet Cruze when Kenneson slid into his lane,” continued Newell.
Longstaff and his passenger, Catherine Longstaff, 41, were transported by Crown Ambulance to The Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle for treatment of multiple injuries. Kenneson was also transported to TAMC by Crown with multiple injuries. Kenneson was later flow to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor where she remained until the time of her death. Hospital officials were unable to provide further details.
Both vehicles were totaled as a result of the accident. Mike Cowett’s Towing of Presque Isle removed both vehicles from the scene.
“Road conditions were the primary cause of the crash,” said Newell.
Newell was assisted with the investigation by the Maine State Police, including Trooper Rob Flynn, who reconstructed the crash, and members of the Fort Fairfield Fire Department.
Kenneson was recently recognized for 30 years of service with the Aroostook County Action Program’s (ACAP) Health Services Department.
Information on funeral arrangements were not available at presstime.
