WARREN — A motor vehicle crash at a Warren intersection resulted in at least four people being transported to local hospitals on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023. Responding firefighters say that they often respond to crashes there and point to visibility issues as a frequent factor.

Warren Fire, Warren Ambulance, and Knox County deputies were called to the intersection of Old Augusta Road and Ridge Road (Route 235) at 1:17 p.m. At the scene, they found that a car with Pennsylvania plates had been traveling east through the intersection when it was struck by a northbound vehicle traveling along Route 235. The first car was then forced into the opposite travel lane where it struck an oncoming vehicle head-on. 

Warren Ambulance was joined by two Waldoboro and one Union ambulance for the occupants of the three vehicles. Five or six people were involved in the accident, with at least one person being driven directly home from the scene.

The injured occupants were transported to both Miles Memorial Hospital, in Damariscotta, and Pen Bay Medical Center, in Rockport.

Route 235 reopened to traffic a couple of weeks ago, having been closed for a lengthy repair following road washout from a major rain storm. With the road closure, firefighters had a break from responding to crashes there. Some members of the Warren Fire Department are so accustomed to responding to that intersection that the second they hear “Old Augusta Road” they don’t listen further for the cross street, they simply start driving toward Ridge Road.

Firefighters on scene mentioned general talk of either installing a yellow flashing light at the intersection, or possibly making the area a four-way stop. Warren Select Board meeting minutes going back as far as May 2023 do not mention this intersection aside from the expectation of reopening Route 235 by Sept. 26 following the washout repairs.

Oyster River hauled the vehicles away.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com