SHERMAN, Maine — A 73-year-old Endicott, N.Y., man and his wife escaped serious injury Tuesday evening when their vehicle crashed and caught fire on Interstate 95.
Arthur Fawthrop and his wife Ellen were traveling northbound at 5:06 p.m. in a 2004 Hyundai sedan when Arthur Fawthrop reportedly fell asleep behind the wheel, according to Maine State Police Sgt. Jeffrey Clark.
Fawthrop’s vehicle drifted to the left-hand side of the roadway, struck the end of a guardrail, continued into the median, rolled over and came to a rest in a brook, Clark reported. Fawthrop’s vehicle then caught fire, causing some trees to also catch fire.
Fawthrop and his wife, Ellen, whose age was not reported, were taken by ambulance to Houlton Regional Hospital. Arthur Fawthrop was treated and released, while Ellen Fawthrop was transferred to Eastern Maine Medical Center.
Speed was not a factor in the incident, police said. Both Fawthrops were wearing seat belts. No charges were filed in the case.
Trooper Carman Lilley investigated the incident. He was assisted by members of the Patten Ambulance, Patten and Medway fire departments and the Maine Forestry Service.
