Police identify victim in fatal South Thomaston crash

SOUTH THOMASTON — The Knox County Sheriff’s Office said it will forward findings of its investigation into Thursday night’s fatal car crash to the district attorney’s office.

One person died and two others were injured following the May 25 crash on Route 131.

According to Knox County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Timothy Carroll, passenger, Zachary Elwell, 21, of St. George was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, Kelsey Campbell, 19, of South Thomaston, and another passenger, Austin Jurkowski, 19, of St. George, were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

The crash occurred on Route 131 in South Thomaston near Alder Lane just after 7 p.m.

The chief deputy reported that witnesses stated that a car was traveling at a high rate of speed and had just passed a vehicle before going off the road, striking many trees, and rolling over multiple times.

Elwell was ejected from the vehicle.

“It is also believed that alcohol will be a contributing factor,” Carroll stated.

Carroll said Friday that the department will be gathering more evidence and conducting interviews to see what led to the crash. He said a blood test was taken of the driver, which is standard when there is a fatal crash.

Once the investigation is complete, the information will be given to the district attorney’s office to determine if charges are warranted, he said.

South Thomaston Fire and Ambulance, the St. George Fire Department and Thomaston Fire Department assisted at the scene. The Knox County Regional Communications Center dispatchers helped coordinate all crews involved.

Route 131 was closed to through traffic from Westbrook Street on the Thomaston end and near Harbor Road Veterinary Hospital on the St. George end.

The road was reopened shortly before 11:30 p.m.

Knox County Sheriff’s Office Reconstruction and Mapping Teams are continuing with the investigation.