Police investigating report of underage drinking in Ashland

Kathy McCarty, Special to The County
11 years ago

ASHLAND, Maine — Law enforcement from several County agencies continue to investigate two accidents and a report of underage drinking at an Ashland residence that occurred over the weekend.

“We covered two separate accidents on the Wrightville Road, off Route 11, that took place around midnight, Saturday going on Sunday,” said Sgt. Jarad Carney, of the Ashland Police Department.
One accident involved a head-on collision, while the second incident involved a vehicle going off the road not far from the first.
“We responded to the first accident, which occurred on a sharp turn. One vehicle, operated by a minor, was going too fast, lost control and hit a pickup head-on. The minor sustained what we believe were non-life-threatening injuries,” said Carney.
Carney indicated the pickup was operated by the parent of a child believed to be at a party on the Wrightville Road.
“The parent was driving a small Toyota-type truck, heading east. The minor was driving a compact car, heading west when the crash occurred. The car was totaled and the truck sustained significant damage. The parent wasn’t seriously injured,” said Carney.
The second accident involved a single vehicle that went off the road into a ditch.
“It was a small sedan, heading east. One person sustained an injury in that incident, but we’re still trying to determine who was operating that vehicle. People were out of the vehicle by the time emergency personnel got to the scene. The road was blocked due to the first accident,” he said.
A total of two people were transported to The Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle as a result of injuries sustained from the two accidents.
“We’re also investigating a party at a resident on the Wrightville Road. We have charged one person with underage drinking, with the driver in the first accident being charged with OUI. There’ll also be charges for the person responsible for furnishing minors a place to consume alcohol,” said Carney.
“Additional charges may be pending, in connection with the three incidents on the Wrightville Road,” noted Carney.
Carney said names are not being released at this time due to the age of those involved and the ongoing investigation.
The APD received assistance from the Maine State Police, Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ashland Fire and Ambulance Service.
“Anyone with information is asked to call the APD at 435-6626. We believe participants of the party came from other communities, not just Ashland. Those communities include: Fort Fairfield, Caribou and Washburn. If anyone knows something about the events of this evening, please call the police department,” said Carney.