CANAAN — A 48-year-old Canaan man was taken by helicopter to a Bangor hospital Friday night after the vehicle he was driving crashed into a tree and a utility pole on Route 23.
Michael Nelson was flown to Eastern Maine Medical Center with apparent multiple serious injuries after he was freed from a four-door Buick Century, said Detective Lt. Carl E. Gottardi II, of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office.
Gottardi said the initial investigation indicated speed and alcohol could be factors in the single-vehicle crash, which occurred about 6:30 p.m. on a sharp corner near the Hubbard Road intersection.
After Nelson was lost control, the Buick went off the right side of the road, struck the tree and the pole and landed on its driver’s side, Gottardi said.
Rescue personnel had to cut off the car’s roof to get Nelson out of the vehicle, he said.
Rescue personnel initially took Nelson to Redington Fairview Hospital in Skowhegan before he was flown to Bangor.
Gottardi said the license plates were attached illegally to the Buick, which was deemed a total loss.
Deputy Joseph Jackson is investigating and Cpl. Michael Ross is reconstructing the crash, Gottardi said.
Deputy Don Avery and Maine State Police Trooper Hugh Landry assisted at the scene, as did the Canaan, Hartland and Skowhegan fire departments.
Law enforcement and rescue personnel cleared the accident site at 8:23 p.m., according to the Somerset County dispatch log.
A call to Eastern Maine Medical Center to check Nelson’s condition was not returned Saturday before deadline.
Beth Staples — 861-9252
Comments are no longer available on this story