The man remains in serious condition at Central Maine Medical Center.
AUBURN – A Raymond man hurt in a rollover crash on Washington Street last week was probably not racing with another driver, police said Monday.
Witnesses who came forward over the weekend told investigators the crash did not involve any other vehicles, contrary to earlier reports.
“The first witness led us to believe he was drag racing,” said Auburn police Officer Jason Moore. “Every other witness has contradicted that. They all say there was no other vehicle involved.”
Justin Frazier, 21, remained in serious condition Monday at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston.
Police said Frazier suffered multiple injuries Friday morning when the car he was driving struck a guardrail, crossed the road and crashed into another guardrail on the other side of Washington Street.
Investigators have not been able to speak with Frazier about the crash because of his injuries, Moore said.
Initially, police believed the crash may have been the result of a drag race or road rage. Now, investigators suspect Frazier simply may have been driving too fast.
“He was speeding, and he lost control,” Moore said. “We’re still following up the investigation.”
Police believe Frazier was driving more than 100 mph when he crashed.
Firefighters freed Frazier from his wrecked Pontiac Grand Am by ripping the roof off the vehicle. There was no one else in the car when Frazier crashed, police said.
While they investigate the crash, police say they also plan to increase speed enforcement along Washington Street.
Over the weekend, two men – a 21-year-old and a 22-year-old – were arrested on charges of driving to endanger and criminal speed. Investigators say they were drag racing along the same stretch where Frazier crashed.
Also on Saturday, a man lost control of his car, causing it to roll over on southbound Washington Street, near Hackett Road.
Police said Ryan Paradis, 26, of Lisbon drove onto the shoulder next to the roadway before the vehicle he was driving flipped over.
Paradis was not hurt but a passenger, 23-year-old Samantha Leonard, was examined for cuts and scrapes in the crash.
Damage to the vehicle Paradis was driving, a 1990 Subaru owned by Penny Leonard, was estimated at $3,000.
mlaflamme@sunjournal.com
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