NEW SHARON – A woman was killed and four people hurt in a three-car collision here Wednesday afternoon.

The accident occurred just after 2:30 p.m. in front of the Gage Farm on Route 2.

Patricia Coccia, 40, of Phillips died in the crash.

She was driving westbound toward Farmington in a 1999 Buick Century sedan when she lost control of the vehicle and crossed the centerline, police said.

The Buick sideswiped an oncoming eastbound pick-up truck, causing it to spin, said Maine State Police Trooper Peter Michaud Wednesday night. He’s the lead investigating officer.

After clipping the pick-up, the rear of Coccia’s sedan was struck head-on by an eastbound 1996 Chevy Lumina driven by Amber Churchill, 51, of Starks.

Trooper Derrick Record and Franklin County Sheriff’s Cpl. Nathan Bean, traveling back to Farmington from a police training session, arrived at the crash site minutes after the accident occurred.

What caused Coccia to loose control of her vehicle remains under investigation, Michaud said, but added that weather may have been a factor. When he arrived at the scene, the roads were wet and slushy, the trooper said.

Coccia was pronounced dead at the scene from massive trauma, Michaud said.

The town’s fire department extricated passengers from Coccia’s vehicle.

Coccia’s 17-year-old daughter, Samantha Dzengeleski of Phillips, was taken to Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington and treated for minor injuries before being released.

Also in the car was 17-year-old Michael Haines of Avon, who suffered a possible dislocated shoulder, and 17-year-old Heather Haley of Phillips, who sustained a hip injury and was transferred by ambulance to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Michaud said.

Churchill was treated and released from the Farmington hospital.

Both Coccia’s and Churchill’s vehicles were considered totaled. The pickup that was sideswiped had minor damage. It was driven by Elaine Millett, 59, of Anson, police said.

Route 2 was closed down to traffic for over an hour so that emergency responders could clear one lane and re-open it to traffic. Both lanes were finally opened back up when the scene was cleared after 5 p.m.

Assisting Michaud at the scene were Record, Bean, State Police Sgt. Frank Poirier and troopers Scott Dalton, Joseph Parker, Christopher Carr and Bruce Scott.

Trooper Scott Stevens notified the family in Phillips.

sdepoy@sunjournal.com

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