BOWDOIN – Two men killed in an early Sunday crash on Litchfield Road were identified Monday as police continued to investigate the wreck that also left one man injured.
Police said 26-year-old Christopher Hamilton of Bowdoin and 24-year-old Joshua Fitzgerald of Sabattus were killed when the truck they were riding in spun out of control on a curve and slammed into a row of trees.
By late Monday afternoon, officials were still unsure who was driving the truck when it crashed and burst into flames during a police chase.
Investigators said Hamilton and Fitzgerald died inside the Dodge Dakota, which was owned by Hamilton. Police and rescue crews at the scene of the crash later found 22-year-old Robert Hamilton of Bowdoin alive in a nearby section of trees.
Robert Hamilton, Christopher’s brother, was taken to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. He was released from the hospital Monday afternoon, a spokesman said.
Maine State Police investigating the crash were attempting to piece together what the three victims had been doing in the hours before the police chase and crash.
Police said they were told by witnesses that the trio had been drinking at Chris Hamilton’s home late Saturday night. About 11 p.m., police said, the three men left in the truck and were seen at a convenience store in Lisbon a short time later.
Maine State Police spokesman Stephen McCausland said Fitzgerald was driving the truck when the three men were seen at the Lisbon store.
About 1 a.m. Sunday, Topsham police Officer Al Huntington attempted to stop the truck for speeding on the Cathance Road in that town, investigators said. Police said the driver of the Dakota sped away from the officer at between 55 and 65 mph.
Police said the chase continued for about six miles. The officer pursuing the truck came around a curve and found the Dodge Dakota broken in half and in flames at the side of the road.
McCausland said police are still awaiting results of blood-alcohol tests as the investigation continues. They were also learning more about the victims.
Christopher Hamilton lived at 94 Pinewoods Acres in Bowdoin with a wife and infant child, McCausland said. Robert Hamilton had recently been staying with his older brother after returning from Iowa.
Fitzgerald’s address was listed as Bens Hill Road in Sabattus. A friend of his said Fitzgerald had a longtime girlfriend and was planning to develop 71 acres of property.
“This was a very hardworking, a very dedicated kid,” said 32-year-old Jon Westleigh. “This is a very sad day for me. It’s a sad day for a lot of people.”
Maine State Police Trooper Daren Guillereault, who is leading the investigation, said it would not be finished until results of blood-alcohol tests on all three victims have been completed. A reconstruction of the crash site is also ongoing.
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