FAIRFIELD — A Vassalboro man died Saturday in a motor vehicle accident on Norridgewock Road that knocked out power to much of Fairfield for several hours.

Waterville Deputy Police Chief Charles Rumsey, who is the acting deputy chief for Fairfield, said Frederic Bragdon , 69, may have suffered from a medical condition that resulted in his pickup truck crashing into a utility pole and taking down power lines.

Rumsey said an eyewitness told Fairfield police he saw a 2003 Chevy pickup truck being operated erratically on Norridgewock Road near the intersection of Old Center Road at about 11:20 a.m. Saturday.

According to the witness, the vehicle went off the road and onto the lawn at the Circle K store, then back onto the road. The truck then struck the utility pole, breaking the pole.

The power outage affected a large area, including the Fairfield police station in the downtown section of town.

Rumsey said the witness told police Bragdon appeared to be slumped behind the wheel, possibly indicating he had experienced a medical condition. Bragdon was taken by Delta Ambulance to MaineGeneral Medical Center in Waterville where he was pronounced dead, according to Rumsey.

The accident was reconstructed by Deputy Mike Pion of the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office, Rumsey said, adding it appeared that neither speed nor alcohol were factors in the crash.

A dog that was in the truck with Bragdon was not injured. The animal was taken to the Waterville Humane Society.

Doug Harlow — 612-2367
dharlow@centralmaine.com