Dec. 9 update

THOMASTON —  Thomaston Police continue to investigate the cause of a motor vehicle crash on Route 1, sending the two drivers to the hospital, Sunday, Dec. 8.

The driver of the pickup truck, Nicholas Raye, is suspected of crossing the center line while traveling north toward Booker Street. According to Police Chief Tim Hoppe, the driver who was hit, Russell Penney Jr., appeared to be travelling south at the time of the crash.

Thomaston’s police cruisers and fire trucks happened to be lined up at the Thomaston/Rockland line, at approximately 2:50 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8, waiting to escort the annual Wreaths Across America convoy down Thomaston’s section of Route 1. 

That assignment changed quickly when two motor vehicles crashed into each other on the opposite side of town, resulting in both drivers being transported to a local hospital, and flames engulfing a pickup truck.

According to Thomaston Police Officer Anderson, at the scene, the investigation continues into the cause of the head-on collision that took place between Booker and Wadsworth streets, though it is believed that one of the vehicles crossed the center line. 

Many people happened to be along Downtown Main Street at the time, with a large group gathering at the intersection of Knox and Main to honor the convoy. Good Samaritans were therefore in the area and sprang into action, checking on the drivers, who were the sole occupants within the vehicles, as well as directing traffic at three locations along the route.

Soon after, Thomaston firefighters arrived on scene to extinguish the flames, while medical crews from Thomaston and Rockland tended to the patients.

Main Street reopened at approximately 4:10 p.m., long after the Wreaths convoy, coming from a Belfast ceremony and heading to another stop in Newcastle, was forced to reroute down Route 17 to Route 90. 

More details will be added as information becomes available.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com