DATE: Wednesday, March 04, 2015
STATE OF MAINE
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
MAINE STATE POLICE
PRESS RELEASE
PREPARED BY: Trooper Chuck Michaud
CONTACT #: 532-5400
CASE #: SP15-017945/17946
TROOPER: Chuck Michaud
TROOP: F
INCIDENT DETAILS
DATE/TIME: 3/4/15 1315 Hours
LOCATION: I-95 Ludlow
NATURE: Crashes
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: Trooper Chuck Michaud responded to, and investigated two separate crashes on I-95 in Ludlow that occurred only moments apart; and in the same location.
In the first crash, 49 year old Lisa Condon, of Houlton, was traveling south on I-95 when she drove into a large pool of standing water that had accumulated from the melting snow. Mrs. Condon hydroplaned, skidded off the interstate, rolled over, and came to rest in deep snow over an embankment. She was trapped inside the vehicle and was hanging from her seatbelt while upside down. She was, however, able to call 9-1-1 and give directions to her location. Members of the Houlton Fire Department and Ambulance Service helped extricate her from the vehicle. The 2014 Jeep she was driving was towed from the scene. She was transported to Houlton Regional Hospital with what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries.
Shortly after the first crash, 55 year old Holly McNally of Sherman also lost control after driving into the same pool of standing water. Mrs. McNally’s 2000 Chevrolet sedan skidded out of control and went off into the median coming to rest on top of an embankment of snow. Mrs. McNally was not injured in the crash, but her vehicle also had to be towed from the scene.
Both occupants were wearing seat belts in the crash. Maine DOT was able to plow back the banks of snow, which allowed the water to drain off of the interstate. The interstate was reduced to one lane for approximately 1.5 hours while the crash scenes were cleared.
State Police urge motorists to reduce speed and be prepared for rapidly changing road conditions during this time of year with warmer day temperatures causing snow to melt, which often freezes quickly once the temperatures drop in the evening and the sun sets.
ASSISTING AGENCIES: Houlton Fire Department / Maine DOT
INJURED TRANSPORTED BY: Houlton Ambulance
INJURED TRANSPORTED TO: Houlton Regional Hospital
