UNION — A motor vehicle crash on Route 17 in Union involving a car and a logging truck took the life of a Litchfield man and also seriously injured a man from Gardiner, Tuesday evening, May 19.

On the evening of May 19, 2020 at approximately 6:40 p.m., a crash occurred between a grey 2015 Hyundai sedan and a blue 2020 Western tractor unit, hauling a trailer of logs.

According to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, the crash remains under investigation by Deputy Jacob Labo, with support from the Maine State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement and Crash Reconstruction Units. However, preliminary information indicates that the Western was travelling westbound on Heald Highway (Route 17) and the Hyundai pulled out onto Heald Hwy in front of the Western, having come from South Union Road, said police.

The operator of the Hyundai, Ernest Pushard, 75, of Gardiner, was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. His passenger, Daniel Bailey, 64, of Litchfield, succumbed to injuries at the scene.

The operator of the Western, William Cleaves Jr, 32, of Dover Foxcroft, was treated on-scene for minor injuries. The tractor was towed due to inoperable damage.

The Hyundai was towed due to inoperable damage.

The KCSO was assisted by Knox Regional Communications Center, Union Fire and EMS, Maine State Police, Hometown Towing and Repair, and All Directions Transport Inc.

UNION — Route 17 in Union was down to one lane at the Barrett Hill intersection, Tuesday evening, while State Police and deputies from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office investigated the cause of a crash between a car and a truck carrying logs.

Following the incident, which was reported to Knox Regional Communications Center at 6:41 p.m., Tuesday, May 19, Union Ambulance and Union Fire Department detoured westbound traffic onto the Common Road near the Town Office, while allowing eastbound traffic to continue straight.  

One person was transported to a local hospital. Another person died at the scene. 

Heald Highway (Route 17) reopened at 9:54 p.m.

This article will be updated as more information becomes available.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com