By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
WESTFIELD — Poor visibility on the afternoon of March 17 is being blamed for a six-car pileup on the U.S. Route 1.
“The Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office responded to a six-car motor vehicle accident on Route 1 in Westfield around 2 p.m. on March 17. This accident happened just north of the Westfield four corners,” said Sgt. Forrest Dudley, investigating officer with the ACSO.
According to Dudley, whiteout conditions caused one motorist to stop, which led a chain-reaction accident involving drivers from both sides of the border.
“At approximately 2 p.m., Karen Higgins, 59, of southern Maine was traveling north operating a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle. She stopped due to a vehicle that stopped in front of her due to whiteout conditions,” said Dudley.
While stopped, Dudley said a third vehicle — a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse being driven by Anand Subramaniam, 38, of Canada — had stopped behind Higgins. The chain of events occurred when a fourth driver was unable to see the stopped vehicles.
“A 2004 Toyota Camry, being operated by 16-year-old Austin Caverhill of Mars Hill, was traveling north and was unable to see the Traverse stopped in the road due to poor visibility. Caverhill was unable to stop, striking Subramaniam’s vehicle, pushing it into Higgin’s vehicle. A 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier being operated by Nashali Parks, 18, of Bridgewater, was also traveling north. Parks did not see Caverhill’s vehicle until it was too late,” said Dudley.
“Parks ran into the rear of Caverhill’s car, which pushed Caverhill’s vehicle off the roadway and into the snowbank,” continued Dudley.
Dudley said a sixth vehicle, being operated by Jason Forbes, 38, of Castle Hill, was also traveling north and was the last vehicle involved in the pileup.
“Forbes attempted to avoid the accident but ended up hitting Subramaniam’s Traverse,” he said.
Dudley indicated drivers and passengers involved in the crash were lucky, with only minor injuries reported.
“Caverhill and his passenger, his grandfather, Brent McKeen, were transported by Crown Ambulance to The Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle where the were treated for minor injuries,” said Dudley.
Caverhill’s and Parks’ vehicles were considered total losses. Subramaniam’s vehicle was towed from the scene due to disabling damage. Higgins’ and Forbes’ vehicles were able to be driven from the scene. The original vehicle that stopped received no damage from the accident.
“This accident is being attributed to extremely poor visibility, with visibility at times down to five feet. Due to this, Route 1 was closed for approximately two hours until weather conditions improved,” said Dudley.
Assisting Dudley with the investigation were Deputy Ross McQuade, members of the Maine Warden Service and Maine State Police, as well as the Mars Hill and Presque Isle fire departments.
There are no charges pending from this accident.
