OWLS HEAD — A crash soon after midnight July 13 drew rescue crews and sheriff's deputies to North Shore Drive in Owls Head to pull one driver from a sedan that landed on its side against a tree.

According to a news release from the Knox County Sheriff's Office, the crash occured at 12:30 a.m. near the intersection of Weeks Road. Haley Watkinson, 27, of Owls Head was the single occupant of the vehicle and was transported to Penobscot Bay Medical Center, in Rockport, by Rockland EMS with non life-threatening injuries, the sheriff's office reported.

"Sgt. James Moore, of the sheriff’s office, was travelling west in his cruiser on North Shore Drive," the release said. "As he crested a hill he had to avoid a car travelling in the opposite direction that was in his lane. He stated that appeared the vehicle was travelling at a high rate of speed and was out of control. The vehicle passed by him and in his rear view mirror he could see that it appeared it was skidding sideways as he lost sight of it at the hill. Moore immediately turned around and found the vehicle on its side between two trees on the side of the road."

The crash remains under investigation. The sheriff's office said speed and alcohol were contributing factors. 

Owls Head Fire Department and Rockland Fire/EMS assisted at the scene.

Another crash occured soon after 10:30 a.m. later in the morning, July 13, on Route 73, just before the intersection of Route 131 in St. George. Rescue crews from St. George and South Thomaston were called to that scene.

There,  Amber Elwell, 19, of St. George, drove into the soft dirt on the shoulder of Route 73 travelling south and lost control of her vehicle, according to the sheriff's office.  Overcorrecting caused her to lose control and it rolled over on its side.  She suffered no injuries.  

Editorial Director Lynda Clancy can be reached at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 706-6657.