Presque Isle Man Injured in Multi-Vehicle Crash
A Presque Isle man was hospitalized Saturday following a four-vehicle accident on the Caribou Road in Presque Isle.
Presque Isle Police say 65-year-old Michael Simard was driving south on Route 1 in an SUV shortly after 2 p.m. when he crossed into the northbound lane. Police say 80-year-old Preston Johnson of Caribou was able to swerve out of the way and Simard's vehicle clipped his side view mirror.
Simard's SUV continued into oncoming traffic and struck the rear panel of a vehicle driven by 34-year-old Christina Needham of Van Buren. Needham's vehicle rolled over into the ditch. Police say Simard's SUV then struck a third vehicle head-on.
Mr. Simard was transported by Presque Isle Ambulance to Cary Medical Center in Caribou, with injuries believed to be serious. Two children in Needham's vehicle were transported to Cary Medical Center for evaluation.
The driver of the third vehicle, 29-year-old Christian Velazquez Betancourt of Fallon, Missouri complained of pain from his seat belt, but was not treated. His passenger sustained minor injuries and was treated by paramedics on site.
The Aroostook County Sheriff's Department and Presque Isle Fire and Ambulance assisted at the scene Saturday. Three of the vehicles had to be towed away.
Presque Isle Police Chief Laurie Kelly said the accident remains under investigation. It is unknown at this time what caused Simard to veer into oncoming traffic.