LITTLETON, Maine — State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash in Littleton on Saturday, Sept. 21, that officials say was caused by texting and operating while under the influence.
Cpl. Dennis Quint of Maine State Police Troop F in Houlton said Tuesday night that Paul Brady, 35, of Monticello was driving north on U.S. Route 1 in Littleton around 7 p.m. in a 2017 Ford F-250 pickup when he received a text message on his phone.
Brady told police that he took his eyes off the road to look at the message and when he looked up he saw a vehicle slowing or stopped in the travel lane. Brady told police he tried to slow his vehicle, but could not avoid striking the SUV in front of him.
The driver of that SUV, 28-year-old Chelsea McKay of Houlton, had stopped because a potato truck in front of her was making a left-hand turn, police said. McKay’s vehicle, a 2017 Nissan Rogue, received extensive damage to its rear end.
“This section of roadway is currently under construction and the driving portion of the lane has been milled but the shoulder is intact causing an approximate 2-inch lip,” Quint said in the press release. “Chelsea stated she could see a pickup coming up behind her not slowing. Before she could take any evasive action the truck struck the rear of her vehicle.”
Quint stated there was suspicion that Brady was impaired from liquor and a Field Sobriety Test was administered. Brady, who was not injured in the crash, was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence and taken to the Aroostook County Jail for a breath test. He was also issued a summons for operating a motor vehicle while improperly using a handheld mobile device. He was released on a $250 cash bail, with a court date pending.
McKay was transported via Houlton Ambulance to Houlton Regional Hospital’s Emergency Room for pain to her neck and back. Her passenger, Shelby Bulley, was not injured in the crash.
Both vehicles were disabled and towed from the crash site by York’s of Houlton Towing.
