UNION — A Rockport woman faces charges following a March 28 motor vehicle crash just off of Heald Highway (Rte 17), in Union, that closed the highway and corresponding intersection for several hours and knocked out power to the surrounding region.

According to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, a KCSO deputy witnessed a vehicle traveling at criminal speeds along Heald Highway (Rte 17) at approximately 7:50 p.m., Tuesday evening. In order to catch up with the 2018 Nissan Rogue, operated by Bryana McWilliams, 28, of Rockport, the deputy needed to turn around. In doing so, he lost sight of the Nissan, according to Chief Deputy Curt Andrick. Yet, as the deputy followed the route driven by McWilliams, he came upon her vehicle, and determined that McWilliams had attempted to turn onto Town House Road, but failed to negotiate that turn.

The vehicle struck a telephone pole on Town House Road, causing wires to go down across Town House Road and Heald Highway.  The deputy’s cruiser struck wires across the road with no damage to the cruiser, according to Andrick.

McWilliams spoke with Union Ambulance personnel who were called to the scene, along with Union firefighters and additional deputies. She further declined to be transported to a hospital.

McWilliams was charged with Criminal Speed, Inspection Sticker violation, and Seatbelt violation.

UNION – Parts of Union and Appleton were in the dark due to a power outage March 28, 2023 after a vehicle hit a pole at the Route 17 intersection near Dollar General. This was the same set of utility poles that needed to be replaced in November after a truck and trailer snagged the lines. 

As with the previous downed pole incident, the intersection was shut down completely after the crash, which was reported at approximately 7:50 p.m. Firefighters diverted diverted along the Common Road until after the vehicle was towed by Camden Exxon, and power was restored by Central Maine Power.

Though the incident remains under investigation by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, it is known that a deputy cruiser had been traveling behind the vehicle at the time of the crash.

No injuries were reported, and no damage had been done to the cruiser, according to Chief Deputy Curt Andrick in a March 28, 9 p.m., acknowledgement of the incident. 

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com