UPDATED: Route 17 reopens near Chickawaukie Lake following three-car crash
A crash on Route 17 in Rockland near Lakeview Drive closed the highway while drivers and passengers were transported to the hospital and vehicles were cleared from the scene. (Photo by Sarah Shepherd)
One of the three vehicles involved in the crash on Route 17 in Rockland. (Photo by Sarah Shepherd)
The third vehicle in the crash on Route 17 in Rockland. (Photo by Sarah Shepherd)
The Rockland Fire Department extinguished an engine fire when they first arrived at the accident scene. (Photo by Alan Athearn/Courtesy of Rockland EMS)
(Photo by Alan Athearn/Courtesy of Rockland Fire Department)
(Photo by Sarah Shepherd)
Camden Exxon towed all three cars from the accident scene on Route 17 in Rockland. (Photo by Sarah Shepherd)
A crash on Route 17 in Rockland near Lakeview Drive closed the highway while drivers and passengers were transported to the hospital and vehicles were cleared from the scene. (Photo by Sarah Shepherd)
One of the three vehicles involved in the crash on Route 17 in Rockland. (Photo by Sarah Shepherd)
The third vehicle in the crash on Route 17 in Rockland. (Photo by Sarah Shepherd)
The Rockland Fire Department extinguished an engine fire when they first arrived at the accident scene. (Photo by Alan Athearn/Courtesy of Rockland EMS)
(Photo by Alan Athearn/Courtesy of Rockland Fire Department)
(Photo by Sarah Shepherd)
Camden Exxon towed all three cars from the accident scene on Route 17 in Rockland. (Photo by Sarah Shepherd)
ROCKLAND — A three vehicle crash at 3:09 p.m. on Route 17 near Lake View Drive and Chickawaukie beach at Johnson Memorial Park drew first responders from Rockland, Thomaston and Rockport to the scene, and shut a portion of the highway from Porter Street in Rockport toward Lakeview Drive in Rockland.
According to a press release from Rockland Police Sgt. Don Finnegan, Victoria Smith, 67, of Hope, was traveling southeast on Route 17 and slowed down to make a left turn into Johnson Memorial Park. Smith was driving a 2011 Red Chevrolet Cruze. Smith’s vehicle was struck from behind by a 1998 silver Toyota Rav4, operated by Michelle Menting, 42, of Peterborough, N.H.
The rear end collision pushed Smith’s vehicle into the oncoming northwest bound travel lane, where Smith’s vehicle collided with a 2003 grey Toyota Camry, driven by Shirley Meyer, 66, of Warren. Meyer’s vehicle went off the road into the parking lot at the Johnson Memorial Park and glanced off a utility pole.
The vehicles driven by Menting and Meyer sustained serious damage and Smith’s vehicle was totaled, said Finnegan.
Several of the people involved suffered minor injuries and three people were transported by Rockland EMS and Thomaston Ambulance to Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport with non life-threatening injuries.
The use of seatbelts by the drivers and passengers and airbags deploying contributed to the injuries being minor, according to both Finnegan and Rockland Fire Chief Chris Whytock.
Route 17 was reopened as of 4:10 p.m. after the three vehicles were towed from the scene and antifreeze and coolant spills were removed by Rockland firefighters.
Rockland Fire and EMS, Rockland Police, and Thomaston Ambulance all responded to the accident scene. Rockport Police and Rockport Fire assisted with controlling traffic in both directions on Route 17. South Thomaston responded to the Rockland Station for coverage.
The crash is still under investigation by Rockland Officer Scott Solorzano. No charges have been filed at this time.
Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com
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