JEFFERSON — Police believe alcohol was a factor in a crash Tuesday night that seriously injured two young people from Washington.
Lt. Rand Maker of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said in a release that three of the five people riding in the 1997 Ford Ranger pickup, including two riding in the truck bed, were hurt when the truck hit a utility pole on Goose Hill Road. Maker said two people fled from the accident and were later found by police.
Maker said Felichia Glidden, 19, and Travis Condon, 22, both of Washington, were both taken by ambulance to Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta before being moved to Maine Medical Center in Portland with what Maker described as serious injuries. Condon suffered a back injury and Glidden a head injury, Maker said.
A hospital spokeswoman said Thursday that Condon was in fair condition and Glidden was is satisfactory condition.
The driver, Matthew P. Springer, 23, of Waldoboro, was treated and released at Miles Memorial, Maker said.
Two others in the crash, Christopher Benner, 20, of Damariscotta, and Brandon Maddocks, 18, of Washington, were not injured.
“The investigation has determined that none of the occupants were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash,” Maker said.
The crash occurred shortly before 9:30 p.m. Tuesday as Springer drove the small pickup truck south on Goose Hill Road. The truck failed to make a turn in the road and hit the pole, Maker said.
Benner and Glidden were riding inside the truck cab next to Springer. Condon and Maddocks were in the back.
“At least one of the occupants, Mr. Benner, was ejected from the pickup truck,” Maker said.
He said deputies spent considerable time searching for Benner and Maddocks, who fled the crash scene on foot.
Police collected a blood sample from Springer to test for alcohol and other substances.
“Alcohol is suspected as being a contributing factor in this crash,” Maker said.
Springer on Tuesday posted a message on his Facebook page inviting friends to “hang out and drink some teas” in celebration of his 23rd birthday. That night, at 9:25 p.m., a friend responded that they were waiting for Springer to arrive.
Maker said deputies spent more than three hours on Tuesday reconstructing and mapping the crash.
Police on Thursday were still investigating. When the crash investigation is done the case will be forwarded to the Lincoln County District Attorney’s office, Maker said.
Craig Crosby — 621-5642
ccrosby@centralmaine.com
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