Father and daughter escape serious injury in crash

    WESTFIELD, Maine — Poor visibility and blowing snow were blamed for a crash on Route 1 that sent a father and daughter to the hospital.
“On Monday, Feb. 16, sheriff’s deputies responded to a two-vehicle crash on U.S. Route 1 in Westfield, at what is commonly referred to as the ‘four corners.’ A tractor-trailer unit, operated by 43-year-old Mark Thurston of Fairfield, was traveling south. Blowing snow created visibility issues, so he tried to slow down. The vehicle lost traction and slid off the road,” said Sheriff Darrell Crandall, of the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office.
Crandall said a second vehicle was unable to stop and struck the trailer.
“A Dodge Nitro, operated by Mark Cyr, 45, of Presque Isle, was unable to stop before his vehicle ran into the side of the trailer. Cyr and his 15-year-old daughter were taken to the hospital by friends. They were treated for minor injuries and later released,” Crandall said.
The trailer sustained about $1,200 in damage, the Dodge about $4,000. Deputy Sheriff Rob Thibeault is investigating.
“Route 1 was closed for about an hour. All involved in the crash were wearing seatbelts,” said Crandall. Trooper Dennis Quint and Warden Kevin Pelkey assisted at the scene.