HARRISON — The driver in a fatal crash Thursday night is the subject of a criminal investigation after the sport utility vehicle she was driving went off Route 35, killing a passenger.
The driver was a female juvenile, according to police. Her identity hasn't been released.
Capt. Jeff Davis of the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office said no charges had been filed against her as of Friday afternoon.
Thomas C. McLendon, 18, of 81 School House Road in Oxford, was killed in the accident. He was riding in the back seat and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Passenger Jacob R. Hill, 21, of 18 McWain Hill Road in Waterford was flown to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston with life-threatening injuries, Davis said. On Friday, he remained in serious condition, according to a hospital representative.
Passenger Timothy S. Coffin, 21, of 461 Black Guard Road in Waterford was taken to Bridgton Hospital with serious injuries. He was treated and released, according to hospital spokeswoman Pamela Smith.
The driver was also taken to Bridgton Hospital with serious injuries, Davis said, but it was unknown if she was still a patient Friday.
The four were riding in a 2003 Chevrolet Blazer headed north toward Waterford at 8:23 p.m. Thursday when the driver lost control on a curve near 142 Waterford Road. The SUV crossed into the southbound lane and left the road, hitting several trees, Davis said.
The accident remains under investigation, he said.
An Oxford teen riding in the back seat of this Chevrolet Trailblazer died after it crashed into trees off Route 35 in Harrison on Thursday night. Two other passengers and the female juvenile driver suffered serious injuries, Cumberland County Sheriff's Office Capt. Jeff Davis said.
An Oxford teen riding in the back seat of this Chevrolet Trailblazer died after it crashed into trees off Route 35 in Harrison on Thursday night. Two other passengers and the female juvenile driver suffered serious injuries, Cumberland County Sheriff's Office Capt. Jeff Davis said.
Report a correction
Two days in a row a fatal
Two days in a row a fatal teen crash has happened. And, it sucks. Yes, us, teens need to realize what we have and not take it for granted. Yes, we need to wear seatbelts, drive careful, and not take our license's as just way to say we can do what we want when we want on the road.
I will point out in this article NOTHING says this has something to do with drinking, or illegal substance. All it says is "subject of a criminal investigation".
Instead of focusing so much on the fact that it maybe something other than just speed, focus on a life that has been lost. In fact, two lives that have been lost. Thursday and Friday night was just an unfortunate night for two Maine teens that will be missed in there home towns and schools.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (2) Agree (4)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Teach a lesson
Too many times we are greeted by the morning news report with the story of yet another young person dying in an auto accident. Each time, the newspaper and television and radio takes the time to report what good kids these were. There are quotes from neighbors, teachers, friends, relatives and other students. Without fail we hear about what good kids these were and how bright their future was. And, without fail we learn that the school system will do it's part with grief counselors.
Instead of grief counselors let's pack the kids into a bus with a few substance abuse counselors and take them to the scene. Instead of holding hands and drying tears let them see firsthand the truth about what has happened. We spend far too much time and money trying to make kids feel better about the bad decisions their peers and friends are making. Show them the ugly reality of what happens when you combine alcohol, drugs, speed or texting with driving.
We have to start treating young people and their decision making with some consistency. Either they are mature enough to be accountable for their actions or they are not. I don't think our children are being served very well when we dismiss drinking and driving, or speeding, or using a cell phone while driving as a mistake. Take away the keys.
The truth is most parents won't because they have put the parenting of their children into the hands of others and their children. How will their kids get to that part time job, or to the next school function, or to a friend’s house or to the football game? It used to be that parents got their kids to all of those activities. Let's get old school and start parenting again. Bring back the old drop off and pick up. Parents knew where their kids were, when they got there and when they were leaving. Kids weren't out at parties until midnight because parents wouldn't allow it.
Back in the day no 16 year old was hopping into the back seat of their parent’s car after drinking at a football game or a party or a dance. Today kids are getting behind the wheel of their parents car, under the influence. If we want kids to stop dying behind the wheel we need to stop putting them behind the wheel so easily and willingly. Parents are too willing to treat their kids like kids when they are within sight but yet expect them to be adults when they are out of sight. Kids are kids, all day long, not just when we can see them. Parents need to parent and stop leaving that job up to others and to the kids themselves.
Kids don't need an after school job. They already have a full time job. It's called school. They spend 6 or more hours a day in a classroom, 3 hours of homework, maybe an after school activity and a part time job. Are you kidding me with this? What are we expecting our kids to do? Our kids are working more hours a week than their parents. Sure, many parents will have a problem with that statement because they don't consider school a job, but it is. It is the most important job any person will ever have. It is the big equalizer. Wouldn't it be nice if the same parents we see screaming and yelling at their 15 year old at a football game put as much enthusiasm into encouraging their kid to crack a math book, to use correct grammar when they speak, to have good diction, to have manners.
Kids dying in car accidents by their own hand needs to stop. It starts with understanding that kids are kids. They are not adults. They are kids. They need supervision as much as they need trust. By the way, adult drunk drivers don’t suddenly become drunk drivers; they are just graduates that have dodged the odds. Eventually the dice will come up snake eyes.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (2) Agree (27)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Fatal Crash
[This comment has been removed by the administrator]
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (1) Agree (3)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.This comment was removed for
This comment was removed for violating our commenting policy, which forbids comments which may be potentially libelous.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (1) Agree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.What Is The Big Deal Here?
Is knowing the person's name going to change the situation?....Someone lost a son, maybe a brother, maybe a nephew, maybe an uncle, maybe a grandson, and maybe a father...loss of a life.....and people are actually commenting about the driver's name and not commenting to the family who lost this young man?..."Criminal Investigation" doesn't always mean alcohol...could be she was going 30 miles over the posted speed limit...that's "Criminal" in our state...My heart goes out to all those involved..."Her" name will come out when its supposed to come out...Gawd....
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (10) Agree (37)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.I'm willing to bet...
that speed, alcohol, and distraction played a part in this crash. When will young people "wake up" and realize that they're not invincible??
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (12) Agree (39)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.What is the big secret?
What is the big secret? Release the drivers name!
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (19) Agree (34)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond."The driver was a female
"The driver was a female juvenile"
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (10) Agree (20)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.