CHELSEA – A Belgrade man was killed in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday on Route 17.

James J. Carey, 27, was pronounced dead at the scene, Kennebec County Sheriff Randall Liberty said.

“Attempts to resuscitate were unsuccessful,” Liberty said.

The driver of the other vehicle, Roger T. Linton, 41, of Readfield, was found with his vehicle on Route 226, approximately two miles from the accident scene, Liberty said.

The crash damaged his vehicle’s engine resulting in an oil leak in Linton’s truck.

“He ran it as far as he could until the engine stopped,” Liberty said.

Neither Linton nor a passenger in his truck was injured, but Linton was taken to MaineGeneral Medical Center for a blood alcohol test after sheriff’s deputies detected alcohol and police dogs found empty containers of alcohol near Linton’s disabled truck, Liberty said.

Test results are expected within several days, Liberty said.

“Charges are pending following consultation with District Attorney Evert Fowle,” Liberty said.

The crash occurred around 7 p.m., approximately a half mile east of the Route 226 intersection.

Linton, who was driving east, lost control of his one-ton 1993 Chevrolet flatbed, which was loaded with stone. The truck crossed the center line and ran into the driver’s side of Carey’s westbound 1993 Ford Ranger, Liberty said.

The flatbed on Linton’s truck, which protrudes about 18 inches beyond the cab, gashed the length of Carey’s truck, causing extensive damage, Liberty said.

Linton’s truck nearly collided with a westbound vehicle that was driving in front of Carey. The driver of the first vehicle was able to swerve out of the way, Liberty said.

Linton continued driving after the crash until his truck stalled from engine damage caused by the collision with Carey’s vehicle, police said.

Carey, who turned 27 last week, worked for the Cianbro Corp. in Pittsfield for more than five years. He built his Smithfield Road home, which he shared with his wife of two years, Becky.

Visiting hours are scheduled for 7-9 p.m. on Friday at Wheeler Funeral Home on Church Street in Oakland. A funeral service has been scheduled for 10 a.m., on Sunday at Eastgate Apostolic Center on High Street in Oakland.

The investigation is continuing, Liberty said.

“The Sheriff’s Office will exhaust all leads, gather all evidence and utilize all resources to ensure that justice is served in this matter,” Liberty said. “This accident was a tragic, senseless loss of life.”

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