REED PLANTATION, Maine — A Linneus man died as a result of injuries sustained when his pickup truck rolled over on U.S. Route 2A late Saturday.
Richie Suitter, 47, was traveling north in the area of Santa Claus Hill on U.S. Route 2A, in a 1995 GMC regular cab pickup around 11:41 p.m. when he reportedly failed to negotiate a curve in the road, according to Sgt. Jeffrey Clark of the Maine State Police.
Suitter’s vehicle went into the guardrails, became airborne and rolled multiple times before hitting the guy wire of a utility pole, police said. The vehicle came to a rest down an embankment with both the driver and his wife, 46-year-old Gail Suitter, trapped inside the vehicle.
Gail Suitter was rescued and transported to Houlton Regional Hospital with serious injuries. An update on her condition was not immediately available. Richie Suitter died at the scene as a result of his injuries.
The investigation is ongoing, but speed and alcohol are believed to be the cause of the crash, Clark said. Seatbelts also were not used, according to the sergeant.
Rescue personnel from Reed Plantation Fire Department, Danforth Fire and Rescue, Danforth Ambulance and Patten Ambulance responded to the incident.
