City
Auburn driver was fleeing accident when she was killed
Joanne Polvinen
LEWISTON — An Auburn woman who was killed Saturday night when her car crossed into oncoming traffic had a suspended license and was apparently fleeing an earlier accident in Lewiston, according to police reports.
Joanne Polvinen, 58, of 800 Broad St. was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash at 750 Broad St. shortly after 10:30 p.m. Saturday.
Fifteen minutes before that accident, Polvinen crashed into a car on Rosedale Street in Lewiston as she was leaving a cul-de-sac in the wrong lane, police records showed. Her 2001 Chevrolet collided with a 2002 Pontiac driven by Sai M. Lee, 62 of Lewiston.
Motor vehicle records show that Polvinen's license had been suspended after two prior convictions for operating under the influence. She was stopped again in October, but refused a blood-alcohol test.
Lewiston police Lt. Mark Cornelio said Wednesday his department issued a "be-on-the-lookout" alert for Polvinen after the hit-and-run accident Saturday night. Lee gave police a description of Polvinen's car and told them her registration: "BAMM."
"I'm sure she panicked after the hit-and-run accident and was headed home," Cornelio said.
In their report, Auburn police said the fatal accident was alcohol-related. Both drivers were tested for blood-alcohol levels. No tests results were available earlier in the week.
Polvinen was killed when her car collided with a 2006 Volkswagen driven by Xiaoying S. Zhang, 28, of Auburn.
Zhang was taken to a nearby hospital and treated for injuries before being released, police said. No citation was issued.
cwilliams@sunjournal.com
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I have known Joan since jr.
I have known Joan since jr. high school. You couldn't ask for someone with a kinder heart. Was she perfect, obviously not, but who can honestly lay claim to perfection??? How many of us are guilty of having gotten behind the wheel after having a few drinks? How often are you guilty of driving down the road while engrossed in a conversation on your cell phone? Studies have shown that you are as much at risk of having an accident as someone driving drunk. And for those that text while they drive.....two times as likely to have a car accident as the drunk driver.
we all have the responsibility of being safe on our highways, no matter what "our little habits" may be. One is not less evil than the other when it results in tragedies such as these.
Joanne, rest in peace, my friend. Al and family, God bless you and carry you in your time of sorrow.
Some perspective. I would
Some perspective. I would never dare to question you remembering the good in your friend and reminding people that there was more to her then the problems that led to her death, but your minimization of the dangers of driving drunk cannot be put aside. If you are in a place where getting behind the wheel after a few drinks is just something everyone does it is time for some serious re-examining of your standards. It is obvious from here record that this woman did not have a few "little habits", but some serious problems that led her to being a threat to the life and safety of other drivers. Her death is a tragedy and as someone who as lost love ones in traffic accidents my heart goes out to her friends and family, but this could have been much worse and there could easily have been many more people mourning right now.
At no time did I minimize
At no time did I minimize drunk driving. I don't drive drunk and at no time would I allow a friend or foe to drive drunk. If you could reread my post I stated "how many of us HAVE GOTTEN (past tense) behind the wheel after a few drinks". Not too many people could say that they never had done this. Some still do figuring that they can drive.
As far as my standards are concerned. I don't drink or do drugs. I've been driving for 40 years with one at fault accident, two speeding charges ( the worst one was going 11 miles over the posted speed of 55 on the Maine turnpike). That was in 1978, my record has been clean since. I feel that's probably better than average.
You seem to have missed an important point which I was trying to make. It's NOT only drunk drivers that kill but also distracted drivers. Again, may I emphasize, that there are studies that show that drivers talking on their CELL PHONES while driving are just as at risk of having a car accident as someone considered legally drunk. Drivers TEXTING while driving are 2 times at greater risk of having an accident as a drunk driver.
Remember when you point your finger at someone, you have three fingers pointing back at you!
Feel sorry for this
Feel sorry for this person??? No. Feel sorry for the people she hit. No one forced her to pick up the drink or drinks and put them in her mouth. She made the choice. The people who are innocent, driving along and have to dodge a drunk driver are the ones that need sympathy. If you want to drink, stay home or find a ride. If you go out and drink, pay for a cab! DO NOT take innocent peoples lives into your hands and try to drive drunk.
I'm so Glad.....I'm glad To
I'm so Glad.....I'm glad To see that some people on here have a heart and are compasionate. The Polvinen family has endured enough during this tragedy. Many people do not understand the life Joanne lived but she did try to battle a serious demon that plagued her too much and too long. It did eventually end up taking her life, The only blessing is that it didnt take anybody elses life. Al is a wonderful man that didnt deserve this...my heart goes out to the entire Polvinen family...RIP Joanne...you are finally free!!
I feel so badly for this
I feel so badly for this family.
Sounded like she may of had
Sounded like she may of had some personal problems, but best not to judge, she paid the price for her mistake and then some.
We're all far from perfect.
AS I SEE IT, by Mainer Mike
AS I SEE IT, by Mainer Mike Brown ----
Sorry, but I have a hard time feeling bad for this woman since I have no respect for drunk drivers.
This could be an important
This could be an important lesson, but you'd rather wallow and feel superior. Families like Joanne's don't think dangerous behaviors will get them, because their loved one is nice, not a bad person like you think they all are.
Rest in peace. You will be
Rest in peace. You will be missed.
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