Blowing snow causes accidents

    BRIDGEWATER, Maine — High winds and blowing snow were blamed for two accidents on U.S. Route 1 in Bridgewater on Friday that occurred within a short time span as vehicles attempted to make their way up a section of road known as Bunker Hill.    Maine State Police responded to the first accident, which was reported about 4 p.m.
“Daniel Thibeault, 51, of Lewiston, and his family were traveling southbound on Route 1 in Bridgewater when his 2014 Toyota Tacoma got stuck in a snow drift at the top of Bunker Hill. Thibeault’s vehicle had just gotten unstuck, with assistance from a nearby resident, when Thibeault’s vehicle was struck by a 2007 Toyota Corolla operated by Brandon Greaves, 30, of Littleton,” said Sgt. Brian Harris, of the MSP.
Greaves was also traveling southbound and could not see Thibeault’s vehicle due to whiteout conditions at the time.
“One passenger from Thibeault’s vehicle and one passenger from Greaves’ vehicle were transported by ambulance to the Houlton Regional Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries,” said Harris.
Trooper Jared Sylvia, of the MSP, was assigned to the accident. He was assisted at the scene by the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office, Maine Department of Transportation, Monticello and Bridgewater fire departments and Crown Ambulance.
A short time later, a second crash occurred close to the first, with drifting snow to blame in that accident as well.
“On Friday at about 4:44 p.m. Deputy Vance Palmer went to help Trooper Sylvia with a crash on Bunker Hill in Bridgewater. Deputy Palmer learned when he arrived that a second crash had just occurred in the same location, so Deputy Palmer investigated that crash,” said Sheriff Darrell Crandall, of the ACSO.
The second incident also involved two vehicles.
“It was determined that Michael Fortenberry, 47, of Cranston, R.I., was operating a 2013 Kia sedan. In the vehicle with Mr. Fortenberry were Eric O’Connor, 30, and a 6-year-old girl. While stopped in traffic, Fortenberry’s vehicle was struck by a 2005 Dodge pickup operated by Real Oakes Jr., 45, of Presque Isle. In the vehicle with Mr. Oakes were Stacy Dwyer, 42, and a 15-year-old girl,” said Crandall.
Crandall said whiteout conditions on top of Bunker Hill at the time were causing significant visibility issues and Oakes’ vehicle struck Fortenberry’s stopped vehicle.
“Fortenberry, O’Connor and the 6-year-old were transported to the hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening. Neither Oakes, nor his passengers, reported any injuries,” he said.
All involved in the second crash were wearing seatbelts.
Deputy Palmer was assisted by Deputy Rob Thibeault and Sheriff’s Detective Peter Johnson. Mars Hill and Monticello fire departments also assisted at the scene. Both vehicles in the second crash were removed by Mike Cowett’s Towing Service of Presque Isle.
All four vehicles involved in the two accidents sustained damage, ranging from minor to significant.
“Route 1 traffic was shut down for approximately three hours while the accidents were investigated and the cars were removed from the scene, causing a long backup of both south- and northbound traffic. MDOT plow trucks were called in to plow the drifting snow from the roadway in the area and to also treat the roadway due to several tractor-trailer trucks that were not able to travel up the hill due to the icy roads,” said Harris.