MEXICO – An unusual three-car crash on Route 2 in Mexico late Wednesday morning caused an estimated $27,000 in damage and sent one man to the hospital.
James V. Cole, 49, of Rumford, complained of dizziness from a possible neck injury after the 10:40 a.m. wreck, said Mexico Police Chief Jim Theriault.
Cole was taken to Rumford Hospital by Med-Care Ambulance, but was no longer at the hospital later that day, a nursing supervisor said.
Investigating Patrolman Michael Richard said that Cole, a mechanic at VIP Discount Auto Center on Route 2 in Mexico, had just completed repairs on a 1989 Lincoln four-door car owned by Scott William, of Hatch, N.M., when he took the car for a test drive west on Route 2.
Traveling behind Cole, Richard said, was a 1999 Cadillac sport utility vehicle owned and operated by Thomas S. Burpee, 43, of West Hartford, Conn.
Richard said that Cole slowed to turn right onto Richards Avenue, a short distance from VIP.
Burpee thought Cole “was turning left and attempted to pass on the right,” Richard said.
The impact from the SUV sent the Lincoln and Cole spinning into the rear of a 1989 Ford operated by Charles H. Brown, 57, of Hanover, who was pulling out of Richards Avenue onto Route 2, Richard said.
The SUV continued onto a banking on Richards Avenue before turning over on the driver’s side in a sand-filled drainage ditch.
Richard said safety belts worn by Cole, Burpee, Brown and Burpee’s passenger, Jason Morton, 65, prevented more serious injuries. Theriault said Brown complained of head pain, but was treated at the scene.
Mexico firefighters and police directed busy traffic around the wreckage.
The SUV, which was towed by Roland’s Automotive or Mexico, sustained an estimated $18,000 in damage; Brown’s Ford, also towed by Roland’s, an estimated $6,000 in damage; and William’s Lincoln, $3,000. The Lincoln was towed by Dupuis Towing and Salvage of Mexico.
No charges were filed.
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