By Jen Lynds
The Bangor Daily News
FRENCHVILLE, Maine — A local woman suffered significant injuries on Thursday afternoon when her vehicle was struck head-on by another motorist, one of three accidents reported in Aroostook County.
Maine State Police Sgt. Brian Harris said that the Frenchville crash happened at 1:30 p.m. on Cleveland Road.
According to Harris, David Fernald, 25, of Frenchville was northbound on the roadway behind the wheel of his 1986 Volvo sedan. He was driving in the wrong lane and drove head-on into 48-year-old Brenda Boucher, also of Frenchville.
Boucher was southbound in a 2000 Chevy Cavalier at the time of the crash, according to Harris.
Fernald suffered cuts to his head and face and was taken to Northern Maine Medical Center in Fort Kent. Boucher was trapped in her vehicle, and the Frenchville Fire Department had to use extrication equipment to free her.
She also was taken by ambulance to Northern Maine Medical Center.
Harris said that she suffered two broken legs along with a compound break. She was stabilized, taken to The Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle and later transferred to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.
Information on her condition was not available late Thursday evening.
Both vehicles were deemed total losses.
Police did not immediately indicate why Fernald was in the wrong lane.
Trooper Robert Flynn is the primary investigator in the crash. The investigation is ongoing, according to Harris.
In Smyrna on Thursday evening, two men escaped serious injury in an accident involving two tractor-trailers on U.S. Route 2.
Harris said that the crash happened just before 4:30 p.m. at the intersection of Duck Pond Road and Route 2.
According to Harris, Ryan Morrow, 23, of Millinocket was on Duck Pond Road approaching an intersection when he failed to stop at a stop sign. His 1996 Freightliner skidded through the intersection and across Route 2. The cab section of the vehicle struck trees and came to rest down an embankment. The trailer remained on Route 2.
The vehicle belonged to Jonathan Coburn of Winn and was loaded with hardwood logs.
As Morrow skidded through the intersection, Cory Daggett, 35, of Topsfield was traveling east on Route 2 in a 2003 Freightliner owned by Charles Daggett Inc. of Topsfield. He struck the side of Morrow’s trailer, according to Harris.
Daggett’s truck also was loaded with hardwood logs.
Harris said that neither driver was hurt. He attributed the crash to Morrow traveling too fast for road conditions and failing to yield the right of way.
High winds and blowing snow made portions of some Aroostook County roadways slick Thursday evening.
Harris said that both vehicles had tens of thousands of dollars in damage.
Traffic was down to one lane for several hours until the crash scene was cleared. Trooper Chuck Michaud and the state Department of Transportation assisted at the scene.
In Moro Plantation, a truck rollover on Route 11 caused the route to be shut down for approximately two hours Thursday.
Harris said late Thursday evening that the crash occurred approximately two miles south of Knowles Corner.
Harris said that Leonard Theriault, 36, of Hampden was southbound on the roadway around 2 p.m. when he lost control of his 2010 Freightliner truck.
The truck skidded across the road and rolled over in the ditch before coming to rest on the passenger side.
Theriault’s vehicle was a loaded milk truck owned by Schoppee’s Dairy of Holden.
It had approximately $30,000 in damage.
The load of milk, approximately 4,000 gallons, had to be dumped out in order to right the truck back onto its wheels.
The road was shut down until the truck could be righted and towed from the scene, according to Harris. Leonard suffered cuts to his hand from flying glass but did not need medical treatment. He was wearing a seat belt.
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