Editor’s Note: An arrest or summons does not constitute a finding of guilt. An individual charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at criminal proceedings.
HOULTON — The Maine State Police Troop F barracks in Houlton responded to 144 calls for service including over 50 incidents of crashes and vehicles off the road as a result of back-to-back snowstorms during the week of Nov. 28-Dec. 4:
Monday, November 28
– State Police responded to a crash on U.S. Route 1 in Grand Isle. An individual reported that a minivan had been struck by a tractor trailer, and the operator was currently trapped inside the vehicle. Trooper Curtin responded to the scene.
The initial investigation revealed that the minivan had been traveling west on Route 1 in Grand Isle when the driver veered into oncoming traffic. The van struck a tractor-trailer unit head on, causing substantial damage to both vehicles. The tractor trailer, operated by a Blanchard Twp. man, was left disabled in the middle of the roadway causing traffic to become delayed. Rescue crews were able to free the driver from his van and he was transported to Cary Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. The trucker was transported to Northern Maine Medical Center in Fort Kent with minor injuries. Tr. Curtin was assisted at the scene by the Grand Isle Fire Department. The investigation is ongoing.
– Tr. Sylvia and K-9 Merry were called to Fort Kent to assist with an article search related to stolen property. One stolen item was located by the PD and a firearm was still missing. Merry searched the area and the firearm was not located in the search area.
Wednesday, November 30
– At approximately 7 a.m. State Police were called to 1922 State Rd in Castle Hill for a stolen vehicle. The homeowner reported his Black 2004 Ford F-150 bearing Maine plate 2499 PA had been stolen in the night from his driveway. The vehicle appeared to have been driven toward Ashland and his mailbox was hit in the process. The man’s wallet was also stolen from his other vehicle in the driveway. State Police are asking that anyone with information related to this crime to please call the Houlton Barracks 532-5400 for Tr. Casavant.
Thursday, December 1
– A 77-year-old Presque Isle man was traveling north in a tractor trailer with no trailer, on US Route 1 in Westfield, traveling downhill at the time. A 17-year-old Bridgewater female was traveling south in a pick-up truck on US Rt. 1, traveling uphill at the time. The female’s pick-up truck lost traction and skidded/spun around on the slush/snow covered roadway facing backwards, and traveled across the center of the roadway in front of the tractor trailer. The tractor trailer swerved to the right to attempt to avoid the pickup, but the driver’s side of the tractor trailer collided with the passenger side of the pick-up truck as it was skidding backward at the time. The impact caused significant damage to both vehicles. Both the 17-year-old and her passenger/mother were transported to The Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle for treatment of minor injuries.
Friday, December 2
– Tr. Desrosier is currently investigating a property theft in Wallagrass. The female victim reported leaving a very expensive shovel on her porch and now it is missing. Tr. Desrosier is trying to gather information regarding this crime and is currently working on the investigation.
Saturday, December 3
– Tr. Adam Stoutamyer was patrolling on the Caribou Rd. in Fort Fairfield when he stopped a vehicle for going 71 mph in a posted 50-mph speed zone. Tr. Stoutamyer learned that the 38-year-old Caribou man’s license had been suspended for unpaid fines, and the man was subsequently charged for operating under suspension.
