Crash victims remain in hospital, police say

Monday, November 9, 2009

AUBURN — Victims of a fatal crash on Saturday afternoon in Auburn, which left two dead and three in critical condition, were identified by police on Sunday evening.

Lisa White, 36, of Auburn and her daughter, Marissa White, 4, were both killed in the accident, which occurred at about 2 p.m. on Minot Avenue near Mac's Grill on Saturday, according to Auburn police. Lisa White was killed instantly, and Marissa White died later at Central Maine Medical Center, according to police.

White's 12-year-old stepdaughter, Monica Wentworth, was in critical condition at CMMC on Saturday, according to a written statement by police. Hospital staff confirmed on Sunday that Wentworth remained at CMMC, but could not update her condition due to a confidentiality agreement.

Donald Lovell, 43, of Norway, was driving the truck that collided with White's car. Lovell and his passenger, Bernard Page Jr., 45, of South Paris, both remain in critical condition at CMMC, according to hospital staff on Sunday night.

Lovell's 2007 Chevrolet truck hauling an enclosed trailer was traveling eastbound on Minot Avenue when it crossed over the center line and struck White's 2003 Oldsmobile that was traveling westbound, according to police.

The victims' names had been withheld by police pending notification of relatives.

Police said Sunday the crash remains under investigation.

rmetzler@sunjournal.com

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Displaying comments, from newest to oldest

There are a lot of ways to

By N Bilodeau, unverified — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 22:29

There are a lot of ways to make streets safer, but no funds and red tape makes that hard for the city to put fourth. I went to the Auburn police to complain about the speed and was told that the reason that they don't spend a lot of time on Minot Ave. is because there is no safe place to pull anyone over. I can relate to that because I almost rear ended a car on the right lane that was just parked there. If people want a Mc donalds and Tim hortons and so on then we need to upgrade the roads and make it safe. I try to avoid using Minot Ave. and go back roads instead because I feel safe. My hart goes out to all the families and hope out of this something good will happen so no one has to face such a tragedy.

verified

Well said joeziehmr and

By Penny Spencer, verified user — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 19:49

Well said joeziehmr and truth. The LPD and MSP did a great job!! Their job is to protect the public from harm, which they succeded in doing. It's too bad that Mr Bussiere killed himself, but at least no one else was hurt or killed.

stupid post from months ago

By Penny Spencer, verified user — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 19:53

stupid post from months ago prefilled..Sorry bout that..Working on post about Minot Ave crash...Stand by for update on my response..

People say they want to see

By Jeff Carleton, verified user — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 16:38

People say they want to see more cop cars patrolling the area....Their is little incentive for the city to do this....why??

Because the state recieves the $$ from traffic violations, yet the department that employs the officer who gave out the ticket must pay the overtime for the officer to go and sit in court, in order to prevent the ticket from being thrown out. This is time when the officer is not out on the street being productive...its paperwork time. For this reason, many cases towns & cities do not encourage the issuing of tickets, and prefer to give warnings.

Auburn manager Glenn AHO actually has eluded to this in the past and saying that the state needs to change its practice, and they could see a statewide increase in tickets and revenues.

If the state were to let the department that issued the ticket, you would see a much broader enforcement.

Maybe the judge shouldn't

By DR, unverified — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 20:17

Maybe the judge shouldn't just throw out he ticket. Maybe the offender should be questioned more closely based on the officer's written testimony, or on radar evidence, and the ticket upheld if possible, or an appeal re-filed for another date when the officer can appear (maybe the hearing held at a time when the officer has multiple cases, for least waste of his/her time?) At any rate, the perps would have to time off from work or their busy sitting-on-the-couch-with-a-beer time to sit in court. Annoying and inconveniencing them is worth something, and better than not ticketing at all.

Speeders are everywhere!

By sheade, unverified — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 16:26

Speeders are everywhere! Every street around. Wanted a speed bump like on college rd in Lewiston put on a few roads in the city, but was told the city couldn't. We used to have a camera at a couple of intersections here in Auburn but that got shot down. In other states they have radar and cameras in one unit on several roads. But here I bet they would be shot down as well. Thing is, this would definitely generate revenue.

McCarron, Thank you for the

By SRV, unverified — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 15:16

McCarron, Thank you for the view but habitual speed zones are different from spotting a driver that is next to you in traffic endangering you or other cars in the area. Even if the driver isn't pulled over immediately, the police will have a record of the report in the event the driver does, god forbid, become involved in something further down the road. And again, my real fear is that those who try to enforce the law on their own are placing themselves and families in danger just to make a point, even a valid one.

Minot ave is very hectic

By Lilly, unverified — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 14:40

Minot ave is very hectic during certain times thru out the day...I avoid those specific hours because its frightening at times...Impatient drivers do seem to set right on your tail to make you speed up...One evening recently I was heading towards auburn, still in minot, wen a long line of cars were coming in the opposite direction..An impatient driver pulled out and passed 3 cars in the worst area possible and was heading straight at me..He barely had enough space to pull in behind someone doing the limit...Needless to say I did continue on, safely, but the whole line of cars had their brakes on and it made me cringe to think this guy could have caused such a serious accident and would have caused at least a half dozen cars to end up in a crash...Because of the fear of other drivers we tend to take the scenic , less traveled routes....Im able to get to my destinations safely, and at the speed limits posted, make much better time as well in travel...

Your heart is in the right

By Nathan McCarron, verified user — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 14:08

Your heart is in the right place SRV, but the police will rarely follow up. We have counted an average of 50-65 cars using Fairlawn Ave as a bypass around the lights at Sabattus/Russell and Russell/East Ave between 3-6pm weekdays. It is normal to see vehicles flying at 50-60 mph on the MARKED 15mph street. Pickups seem to be the worst offenders as they just don't seem to give a crap.

It really boils down to these nimrods having no respect. They lack respect for other people, the laws, and common courtesy.

-- "I'm here for the beer and nuts. Only I've not found the beer here, but there are plenty of nuts!"

if you live on fairlawn and

By John Clement, verified user — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 21:48

if you live on fairlawn and your neighbors are aware of this, there is a simple solution. park your vehicles on the street in such a manner as to impede traffic flow. or at least to make it slow down. park in front of your house and another across the street even with your vehicle. leave room for emergency vehicles but cause a disruption to traffic flow. it must involve talking to your neighbors though. or just hide near the corner at 74 fairlawn and throw rocks.

Terrible tradgedy but I

By SRV, unverified — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 13:56

Terrible tradgedy but I really would advise against anyone creating their own 'rolling road block' in an effort to self enforce posted speed limits. Antagonizing already impatient drivers is a recipe for diasaster. If you see a driver driving recklessly, get out of his or her way and call the police with the plate number and description.

This wasn't a rolling

By Penny Spencer, verified user — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 20:04

This wasn't a rolling rolling-block. I was driving the speed limit and this JERK was driving(speeding) in and out of traffic. I had my daughter in my car, so obviously I wasn't doing any vigilante work. Was paying attention to the road and other traffic otherwise I would have gotten his lic #. Wanted to slow this SOB down, yes, there are intersections and a school there...HELLO,,,, If he rear-ended me...who's fault is it???Like I said before, my daughter was in the car with me....so I drive safely. This Jack-ass didn't care who he put in danger..I am a very careful driver, no tickets, no accidents...

I travel on Minot Ave on a

By Penny Spencer, verified user — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 13:29

I travel on Minot Ave on a daily basis also.. One day recently, this guy in a blue sedan (wish I had gotten his license plate #), was tailgating me. I had noticed him in my rear mirror passing cars left and right. The speed limit there was 50, then drops to 40, then before Macs drops to 35. This guy was flailing his arms because he couldn't get by the traffic...So, I was going the speed limit and there was a car on my right side, so I stayed along side the other car. This guy got so pissed and tailgated even closer. All the while flailing his hands, trying to find room to get by me or the other car. So I continued to stay on the posted speed limit. Figured maybe I could slow him done a bit.. When he did manage to get by me, he flipped me the bird and was swearing at me....Excuse me...but we have speed limits for a reason. When I got down near the school zone, where it drops to 25...He was flying at least 40-50....I really wish I had gotten his lic plate #.

I also take that road

By Iliana, unverified — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 12:51

I also take that road everyday to go to work, and I have been been flipped off, honked and sometimes, been in danger because these bullies get mad at me for actually driving the speed limit. So, I e-mailed the APD to request more patrolling in the area. They did have more patrols near the school, but the rest of the avenue was left unsupervised. Sadly, it isn't until an accident takes place that something is done. My condolences to the family in this tragic loss.

I travel Minot Ave everyday

By jm, unverified — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 12:41

I travel Minot Ave everyday to and from work. I have been passed like I am standing still. people weave in and out and are always in a hurry. When it is snowing and freezing raining they go even faster. I have come very close many times almost being hit along that stretch of road. Hopefully this wakes people up to the danger of not paying attention while you are driving. It is just a tragedy that it took a horrific accident for people to notice.

This accident is truly a

By J.Deere, unverified — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 11:38

This accident is truly a nightmare for all involved. It could have happened on any road at any time. My uncle was killed on Rt. 4 in 1996. Same type of accident occurred then...The driver crossed the center line. This type of accident is a devastating for the families. My heart goes out to the child still in the hospital and to all friends and family.

Minot Ave is an obvious

By DR, unverified — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 10:37

Minot Ave is an obvious nightmare. So obvious that one wonders why the police aren't staking it out to issue tickets on a regular basis (and boost the city revenues at the same time!) But sadly, all over Maine, too many drivers need to lose their licenses before they kill somebody. On Rt 231 in New Gloucester yesterday, I saw a flaming moron with 2 kayaks on the roof pass another car in the middle of the village, going uphill not far from the top, doing about 50 mph in the 30 mph zone. That's not just speeding, it's reckless driving. Just drive down any road in Maine at the speed limit, and you soon collect at least one yahoo on your bumper, often a bunch of them, riding aggressively on your bumper because you're not speeding fast enough to suit them.

Come on, state and local police. Stop worrying only about somebody going a few miles over the limit on our straight open stretches of interstate highways. Set yourselves up on the local roads and start fining the bejeezus out of all the insane people driving recklessly around and through towns.

The state, not the city,

By tron, unverified — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 14:31

The state, not the city, receives all the revenue from traffic violations. That is one reason the local PD's do not do traffic stops. The other reason is they would have to get out of their cruisers and actually do something.

staff

I was there. It appeared to

By Michael Snow, verified user — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 10:08

I was there. It appeared to me that the driver of the truck fell asleep. The truck nearly side swiped me as it passed and then swerved back and forth. The truck then veered left until the collision.
The accident was in front of the Army Reserve, they were incredible.
It was a horrific scene. My heart weeps for the family.

Hey Mike, I'm assuming you

By In Reply, unverified — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 13:31

Hey Mike, I'm assuming you were the car in front of the car that was actually hit. We were right in back of it. Happy for both of us that it wasn't our day to dance with the devil.
We all know how gossip is. The guy who checked the truck driver said there was pizza in his lap.....I didn't see it myself and from what I saw, I don't believe the APD found open alcohol containers. I watched them search that truck as best they could. The truck was seriously very messy and I don't think it was all from the accident!
We all can have a tough road to walk in our lives at times. Some harder than others. I wouldn't want to have that accident on my conscience until it was my time to leave this earth.
By the way! Good news, the dog injured in the accident is going to be fine. Her name is "Lucky"! And I guess she lived up to her name that day!

I think you all need to get

By Nancy Dubord, verified user — Tue, 11/10/2009 - 14:34

I think you all need to get over yourselves... we all have made mistakes in our lives. The accident was NO ONES FAULT and who do you people think you are to pass any kind of judgement on any of these people? None of you know anything about how or why anything happened. Accidents are called accidents for a reason. Its bad enough that these people and their families have to live with this for the rest of their lives, you guys don't need to make it worse. Honestly it's not like you guys haven't made mistakes in your lives.

....as I recall, I wasn't

By In Reply, unverified — Tue, 11/10/2009 - 15:36

....as I recall, I wasn't accused of passing a joint in the truck as the accident occured.....Think before you speak.

I now live around Atlanta,

By SteveH, unverified — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 09:29

I now live around Atlanta, but visited Maine not too long ago. Minot Ave was crazy!! It was similar to the big city traffic here in Atlanta. Come on people...traffic is not that bad in Lewiston/Auburn where you have to drive like a maniac in order to get somewhere on time. Leave earlier if you have to. I cannot imagine carrying the weight of deaths I caused for the rest of my life, can you?? Slow down and pay attention!!!!!!!! Prayers for the victims and their families.

I agree with Smokey. I also

By sherito, unverified — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 08:50

I agree with Smokey. I also travel Minot Avenue to and from work everyday and am amazed and how insanly people drive on that stretch of road. I have had people tailgate me, flip me off and honk their horns at me because I insist on driving the actual speed limit. Winter is the worst. People don't seem to take into account the road conditions. It is sad that a woman and her young daughter lost her life. The city of Auburn should take a good look at the traffic and speed on that road.

I drive through there twice

By Roger Castonguay, verified user — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 06:26

I drive through there twice a day. Motorists just "fly" down that stretch of the road. It's no wonder accidents happen (and will continue to happen) on that part of Minot Ave. The two worst times to be on that stretch of the road is early in the morning, where everyone is rushing off to work, and in the early evening, when everyone is returning from work. It needs to be patrolled more often.

I was near there at the time

By magnolia0819, unverified — Mon, 11/09/2009 - 01:32

I was near there at the time of the accident.Unfortunately things turned out grim.That part of the road opens up and everyone seems to pass by.It's hypmotising around there.People weave in and out all the time.The road opens up like a highway and then narrows like a street.My only hope is that people learn from this so this never happens again.Please go slow and be aware all the time.

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Crash victims remain in hospital, police say

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