CASTINE — On Saturday, December 10, 2022, at approximately 2:07 a.m., the Maine State Police responded to a single vehicle crash that involved four fatalities on Shore Road (Route 166) in Castine.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the driver of the vehicle, Joshua Goncalves-Radding, 20,  of North Babylon, N.Y., was traveling south on Rt. 166 when his vehicle left the road and struck a tree before erupting in flames, according to the Maine Dept. of Public Safety.

Four passengers in the vehicle were pronounced dead and taken to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta.

They have been preliminarily identified as Brian Kenealy, 20, of York, Maine; Chase Fossett, 21, of Gardiner; Luke Simpson, 22, of Rockport, Massachusetts; and Riley Ignacio-Cameron, 20, of Aquinnah, Massachusetts.

Three occupants of the 2013 Range Rover survived the crash and were transported to local hospitals for non-life-threatening injuries.

They include the driver, as well as Noelle Tavares, 20, of North Falmouth, Massachusetts, and Dominick Gecoya, 20, of Middleton, Massachusetts.

All seven of the occupants in the vehicle were identified as students at Maine Maritime Academy.   A full investigation is being conducted and will be reviewed once completed. 

CASTINE — On Saturday, December 10, 2022, at approximately 2:07 a.m., the Maine State Police responded to a single vehicle crash that involved multiple fatalities on Shore Rd (Route 166) in Castine. 

The Maine Dept. of Public Safety issued the following news release at 1:30 p.m., Dec. 10;

Preliminary investigation indicates that the driver of the vehicle was traveling south on Rt. 166 when the vehicle left the road and struck a tree before erupting in flames.

Three occupants of the car were transported to local hospitals for non-life-threatening injuries.  

The decedents were taken to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where autopsies will be performed to positively identify the victims.

The identities of the victims will not be released until next of kin is notified.  

The surviving occupants were identified as students at Maine Maritime Academy.

The road was shut down to traffic for more than eight hours while Troopers investigated the crash. The road has since reopened.

A full investigation is being conducted and will be reviewed once completed. 

Maine Maritime Academy issued the following statement:

“The Maine Maritime Academy community was heartbroken to learn from the Maine State Police of a serious single vehicle accident resulting in multiple fatalities that occurred this morning in Castine.

“Based upon information we have received from MSP, we can confirm that three students sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to area hospitals and

“MMA leadership continues to work with authorities. Our hearts and prayers go out to all students and their families at this time. Our priority now is to support our campus community and have made counseling available.

“As the President of Maine Maritime, and also as a father, I ask for your respect and privacy for all of our students.”

—  Jerry S. Paul, President, Maine Maritime Academy