Two hospitalized in Blaine crash
BLAINE, Maine — A sleepy driver was likely a factor in a Monday morning crash that destroyed one car and sent two people to the hospital, according to authorities.
Early Monday morning, 22-year-old Carlie Woodworth of Houlton was heading north on U.S. Route 1 in Blaine when her Nissan Sentra struck the back of a Ford pickup operated by 50-year-old Michael Rideout of Bangor, according to a press release from the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office.
The crash likely occurred after Woodworth fell asleep at the wheel, according to the sheriff’s office.
About 8 a.m. Monday, Aroostook County Chief Deputy Shawn Gillen was driving south on Route 1 in Blaine when he happened upon the crash. Rideout was lying on the side of the road, and although he was responsive, he reported being in pain, the sheriff’s office said.
Gillen then headed toward the sedan, which had smoke coming from its engine, and he removed Woodworth, who “appeared to be unconscious” amid a combination of smoke and steam, and powder from the air bag deployment.
Both Woodworth and Rideout were taken to The Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle, where they were treated and later released.
Damage to the truck, which is owned by the federal government, was minimal, and Woodworth’s vehicle “is likely to be a total loss,” the sheriff’s office said.
