Shortly before 5 p.m., Sheriff’s Deputies were called to a two-vehicle crash on the Ludlow Road in Houlton. Houlton Police Chief Joe McKenna was traveling west on the Ludlow Road in his town issued police vehicle — a 2015 Ford F150 when he was struck by a 2001 Honda operated by a 17-year-old juvenile male. The name of that driver was not released.
According to Sheriff Darrell Crandall, Chief McKenna reported that he met an ATV traveling east, that was in the travel lane and operating well above legal speed. “Chief McKenna reported pulling onto the right shoulder of the road and turned on his emergency lights,” Crandall said. “Chief McKenna said he checked his mirrors, did not see any vehicles coming behind him, and initiated a U-Turn to stop the ATV.”
At the same time, the 17-year-old male, who was traveling behind McKenna, reported seeing the emergency lights of the police vehicle as it pulled to the right side of the road.
“The young man said he believed he may have been speeding and thought the officer was going to let him pass and then stop him,” Crandall said. “Based upon that, the teen began to go around the police vehicle on the left. Chief McKenna, not seeing the approaching vehicle, began his U-Turn. The vehicles collided in the eastbound lane, causing significant damage to both. Luckily, no one was injured.”
Chief McKenna reported that the operator of the ATV was looking back at him after he turned on his lights and that the ATV continued on without stopping. The operator of the ATV is described as a white male in his 30’s, with a stocky build and dark hair. He was operating a red 4 wheeler style ATV with a loud exhaust. If anyone knows the identity of the operator of the ATV, please contact the Sheriff’s Office at 532-3471.
“Most law enforcement agencies in Maine do not investigate vehicle crashes that involve their own vehicles, and alternatively contact another agency to complete the investigation and crash report,” Crandall said. “This is done to avoid the perception of a conflict of interest.”
The vehicle was only recently added to the Houlton Police Department’s fleet and had just been equipped with new emergency lights and siren. Because the vehicle’s body is aluminum, no repair shops in Houlton are able to fix it, according to McKenna. Thus the vehicle will be sent to Glidden Auto Body of Brewer for repairs.
No charges were filed in the crash.
