Strong man dies, two others injured in Kingfield crash

KINGFIELD — A man from Strong died Sunday night after he was ejected from a car that went off West Kingfield Road and struck trees, according to a Franklin County Sheriff’s Office release. 

Nicholas Shurtleff, 25, one of three passengers ejected from the vehicle, died at the scene, Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr. wrote in the release.

Danielle Larochelle, 30, of Kingfield was driving a 2004 Chevrolet Aveo west at about 10:10 p.m. when she reportedly attempted to avoid a deer in the road and lost control. The car went off the road and struck several trees, according to the release.

The other passengers were Patrick Wyman, 23, and Benjamin Bowman, 22, both of Kingfield. Larochelle and Bowman, who were not wearing seat belts, were taken by a NorthStar EMS ambulances to a hospital, according to the release.

Wyman was wearing a seat belt and was not taken to a hospital. 

Primary investigator Andrew Morgan was assisted at the scene by Lt. David St. Laurent, Deputy David Davol and Detective Kenneth Charles. Maine State Police assisted with reconstruction. Morgan is the primary investigator. Maine State Police assisted with reconstruction of the accident.

Kingfield, Carrabassett Valley and New Portland fire departments assisted at the scene.

Nicholas Shurtleff, 25, died at the scene of a vehicle crash on West Kingfield Road in Kingfield on Sunday night, Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr. wrote in the release.  (Franklin County Sheriff’s Office)

Nicholas Shurtleff, 25, of Strong died Sunday night after being ejected from a car that went off West Kingfield Road in Kingfield on Sunday night. Driver Danielle Larochelle, 30, of Kingfield, tried to avoid a deer, lost control of the car from which all three passengers were ejected, according to Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. (Franklin County Sheriff’s Office)