Bar Harbor Vehicle Fatal Accidents Remain Low As Work Continues to Assess How To Decrease Local Accidents
POLICE LOGS FOR BAR HARBOR, MOUNT DESERT, SOUTHWEST HARBOR, TREMONT AND HANCOCK COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENTS
BAR HARBOR—Approximately 16% of the lane miles in Bar Harbor capture 86% of the fatal and severe injury crashes in Bar Harbor, the members of the Safe Streets for All Stakeholders Group learned at its meeting, Monday, March 24.
Currently, the data shows that Bar Harbor is on the high side of crashes compared to other communities in the state. The town averages approximately one fatal accident a year. According to Paul Pottle, a consultant, 75% of injury crashes in Bar Harbor occur between May and October, during the tourist season. A majority of fatal crashes occur in October. The town has received a federal grant managed by the US Department of Transportation to assess how to decrease accidents on its roads.
Pottle also isolated hot spots on Route 3, Eagle Lake Road, and the primary downtown corridors; Mount Desert Street, Main Street, and West Street.
The more severe injury crashes were when a pedestrian or bicyclist were involved, he said. Multiple members of the committee worried that the data could be potentially misleading. Some accidents were caused by medical events, intoxicated driving, or icy road conditions. Those causes are not pulled out in the data that was being used. Some also worried that comparing Bar Harbor, a community of approximately 5,000 year-round residents to other communities was potentially not an apples-to-apples comparison given the influx of tourists that come to Acadia National Park each year. The park is situated within the town and the town is considered a gateway community.
Similarly, comparing the data for Bar Harbor to other gateway communities isn’t an accurate comparison, said one park employee attending the meeting. That’s because Acadia National Park is smaller than most and in the northeastern region of the United States.
However, the goal of the study isn’t to determine how safe Bar Harbor’s streets are, it’s meant to look at ways to increase safety.
Patrick Adams, safety and operations specialist for the Federal Highway Administration, Maine division, said it’s about understanding what the problems are in Bar Harbor.
“In order to solve problems, you have to acknowledge that they are there,” he said.
By early to mid June, the consultants and town will have a presentation about alternatives. That will trigger the second stage of public engagement.
A park employee said that the park service is already working on the Eagle Lake Road and redoing aspects of park land at Liscomb Pit and realigning that roadway to create better sight lines.
Potential improvements might be a rotary at Eden and West Street, which has been considered one of the least safe intersections given its geometry.” Other improvements could include eliminating parking spaces near intersections along Main Street and increasing pedestrian visibility, and potentially turning more streets into one-way streets. If the consultants can find a cause and it’s a recurring cause, they’d like to address that first. Trimming trees was mentioned a lot during community engagement as was shoulders being cleared of debris.
Planning Board Chair Millard Dority wanted to stress the importance of prioritizing the safety of students as they leave school and head to places like the library and YMCA, which are both on either end of School Street, which lacks sidewalks in one section. Dority also mentioned Spring Street. Conners Emerson Principal Dr. Heather Weir Webster agreed and said if there was one highly visible crosswalk for students on Mount Desert Street, it would help with student safety.
BAR HARBOR AND MOUNT DESERT POLICE LOGS
The following incidents occurred in Bar Harbor and Mount Desert last week according to the Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Police Department police logs, which is publicly released information.
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
The Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Police Department took a report of speeding vehicles in the school zone of the Community School on Sound Drive in Mount Desert. No further information or disposition was given.
Someone made a parking complaint in Mount Desert and it was referred to the parking division.
A Bar Harbor resident reported his vehicle registration stickers were missing from his vehicle’s registration plates.
Sgt. Doug Brundrett responded to a Bar Harbor business for a disorderly person complaint but both people involved had left prior to his arrival. He was able to identify one of the people but believed that no criminal conduct had occurred.
Sgt. Brundrett responded to a Bar Harbor residence for an open-door complaint. The building was found to be vacant and under construction. The owner of the building was notified of the open-door incident.
Sgt. Jerrod Hardy investigated a harassment complaint in Bar Harbor and issued one person a written cease harassment notice.
Officer Ted Cake checked on someone who was walking along the roadway in Mount Desert and helped them find a ride home.
Officer Nathan Formby conducted a citizen ride along in Bar Harbor as part of a college program.
Officer Shelby O’Neil responded to a suspicious person complaint in Bar Harbor and determined that nothing suspicious had occurred.
Officer O’Neil assisted the Southwest Harbor Police Department with attempting to locate someone in Bar Harbor.
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Sgt. Soren Sundberg performed a taxi inspection in Bar Harbor.
Sgt. Sundberg met with medical students involved with training through Healthy Acadia in Bar Harbor.
John Carroll, 56, of Island Falls, was driving a 2024 Chevy Colorado and pulling a trailer south on Route 102 in Bar Harbor when he slowed for traffic. Melissa Garland, 45, of Fletcher’s Landing, who was driving a 2006 Saab 9-3 and was directly behind Carroll, allegedly failed to slow down and ran into the trailer from behind. Garland was transported to MDI Hospital by Bar Harbor ambulance for “minor non-life incapacitating injuries.” The Saab was towed due to disabling damage and the trailer, which had broken in half, was towed from the scene. The truck had a small dent in the rear bumper.
Officer Zack Kline headed to assist the Mount Desert ambulance with a medical call in Mount Desert, but the medical personnel began transporting the patient before he arrived.
Officer Kline conducted a citizen ride along in Mount Desert.
Officer Kaleb Payson conducted a citizen ride along in Bar Harbor.
Officer Payson performed traffic control on Eagle Lake Road in Bar Harbor for an unspecified reason.
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Officer Caleb Mora provided traffic control when an oversized vehicle got stuck on a residential road in Bar Harbor and then provided an escort to the truck’s destination.
Officer Elias Burne received a report of juveniles getting suspicious messages on a phone app in Bar Harbor. The complaint is under investigation.
Officer Mora investigated a littering complaint in Bar Harbor and determined it to be unfounded.
Officer Burne responded to a citizen dispute in Bar Harbor which resulted in a man being warned for disorderly conduct.
Officer Mora performed a well-being check in Bar Harbor and determined that the person was okay.
Officer Mora transported a Bar Harbor resident to a facility at the person’s request.
Sgt. Sundberg conducted a taxi inspection in Mount Desert.
Friday, March 21, 2025
Officer Burne responded to a report of a possible intruder in a Bar Harbor residence and found only the homeowner when he arrived.
Officer Burne arrested Conor J. Kenny, 27, of Bar Harbor, in Bar Harbor, on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear and for alleged violation of conditions of release.
After receiving a complaint of an intoxicated driver at a Bar Harbor business, an officer arrested James Morse, no age given, of Maine, for alleged operating under the influence and alleged failure to inform a law enforcement officer of possessing a concealed weapon. Morse was transported to the Hancock County Jail.
Sgt. Chris Dickens performed a taxi inspection in Bar Harbor.
Officer O’Neil responded to a domestic situation in Mount Desert. After investigation it was determined that no assault had occurred, but one man was warned for disorderly conduct. Both people were separated.
Officer O’Neil received some information in Bar Harbor.
Saturday, March 22, 2025
Sgt. Sundberg reported a line down in Bar Harbor to a local utility company.
After receiving a littering complaint in Bar Harbor, Sgt. Sundberg spoke with the vehicle’s owner about the complaint.
Sgt. Sundberg observed an altercation on Main Street in Bar Harbor. After investigation, one person was warned for disorderly conduct.
Sgt. Dickens responded to a noise complaint in Mount Desert. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer O’Neil conducted a probation check on someone in Mount Desert. No further information or disposition was given.
Sunday, March 23, 2025
Sgt. Dickens is investigating a report of rental fraud in Bar Harbor.
Sgt. Dickens provided someone a ride home from the hospital in Bar Harbor.
Monday, March 24, 2025
Officer Troy Stanwood responded with the Mount Desert Fire Department to a report of a building full of smoke in Northeast Harbor. It was determined that there was no fire and the smoke had been caused by a cooking error.
Officer Burne assisted with an issue involving a juvenile in Bar Harbor.
A Bar Harbor woman reported that she was the subject of an attempted telephone scam.
Mental Health Liaison Melissa Tozier followed up with a Bar Harbor resident who had been involved in a domestic situation.
Officer Justin Burnett took a report of a Bar Harbor resident almost being scammed.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR AND TREMONT
The following incidents occurred in Southwest Harbor or Tremont last week according to the Southwest Harbor Police Department police log, which is publicly released information.
Monday, March 17, 2025
Sgt. Ryan Blakeney took a report from a Tremont resident stating that they believed someone had entered their residence and broken an inner pane of glass. Sgt. Blakeney responded and spoke with the complainant.
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Officer James Kamorski took a report of a dog bite in Southwest Harbor, located the dog and its owner and the owner was able to provide up to date vaccination records for the dog.
Wednesday, Mach 19, 2025
Sgt. Blakney served court paperwork to someone in Southwest Harbor.
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Officer Rick Graham responded to a 911 call in Southwest Harbor that turned out to be a minor vehicle crash and after investigation arrested Brian Rosado, 22, of Spring Hill, Florida, for alleged operating under the influence.
Chief John Hall responded to a report of a vehicle parked on the wrong side of the road with its headlights shining into oncoming traffic in Southwest Harbor. Chief Hall located the vehicle and advised the driver of the dangerous situation and the driver moved the vehicle.
Friday, March 21, 2025
A Tremont resident reported that their friend is in a situation that they are concerned about. Officer Kamorski is investigating.
Officer Kamorski went to the Pemetic School in Southwest Harbor to visit with students.
Officer Kamorski went to the Tremont Consolidated School in Tremont to visit with students.
A Southwest Harbor resident reported a suspicious encounter with people whom they did not know.
Saturday, March 22, 2025
Officer Kamorski performed a well-being check on a Southwest Harbor resident and found them to be okay.
Sunday, March 23, 2025
Officer Kamorski is investigating a harassment complaint made by someone in Southwest Harbor.
STATE POLICE PRESS RELEASES
These are the Maine State Police press releases from the last few days. The Bar Harbor Story will include these each week though most (and sometimes all) do not occur on Mount Desert Island.
Woman Discovered At Fort Williams On March 13 Identified
CAPE ELIZABETH—The Maine State Police has received confirmation from the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta that the deceased woman found at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth has been positively identified as 52-year-old Sari Carlson, of Portland, Maine. The cause and manner of death remain pending. There is no risk to the public. Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death. No further details are available at this time.
Previous release
The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South is investigating after the body of an unidentified woman was discovered washed up onshore at Fort Williams Park near the Portland Head Light on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at approximately 1:50 p.m. The deceased is described as a white female, estimated to be in her early 40s, approximately 5’3” tall, with brown hair and blue eyes.
She was wearing a medium-sized blue Fjallraven T-shirt, Frame dark-washed jeans (size 28), and brown AirWair boots (size 7). Notable identifying features include:
A yin-yang tattoo on her left hip, surrounded by a blue tornado.
A scar on her stomach from an appendectomy.
A scar on the back of her head/skull from a previous surgery, with a surgical patch still attached.
Photographs of the boots and tattoo are attached.
Investigators are seeking assistance in identifying the woman. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South at (207) 624-7076.
No further details are available at this time. Updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
Maine State Police Investigating Fatal Wrong-Way Crash on I-295
SCARBOROUGH—On Friday, March 21, 2025, at approximately 6:00 a.m., the Bangor and Augusta Regional Communication Centers received multiple calls reporting a wrong-way driver on the Turnpike near mile marker 42 in Scarborough. Witnesses reported that the vehicle, a 2018 Ford Fusion, traveling northbound in the southbound lanes, subsequently exited the Turnpike onto Interstate 295.
Additional reports indicated that the vehicle was later seen traveling through the I-295 tolls in South Portland. The wrong-way vehicle, operated by 86-year-old George Vandenburgh, of Portland, ultimately collided head-on with a tractor trailer unit traveling southbound near Exit 4 on Interstate 295.
The operator of the tractor trailer was transported to Maine Medical Center in Portland with non-life-threatening injuries. Vandenburgh was pronounced deceased at the scene. Both the northbound and southbound lanes were closed to traffic for several hours. Both lanes have since reopened. The crash remains under investigation.
Maine State Police Investigating Murder in Etna
ETNA—On Friday, March 21, 2025, at approximately 6:40 a.m., a 911 call was received from a residence at 372 Old County Road in Etna. Penobscot County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the call and discovered 41-year-old Luke Norris deceased inside the home.
The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit North responded to the scene to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death. Detectives and Evidence Response Technicians were on scene throughout the day processing the scene and conducting interviews. The deceased was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, where an autopsy will be performed to determine cause and manner of death.
Detectives have arrested Norris’s girlfriend 36-year-old Heidi Tasker and charged her with murder. Tasker was transported to a local hospital for an evaluation. Norris and Tasker both lived at the home.
An autopsy was conducted on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta on 41-year-old Luke Norris. The cause of death has been determined to be multiple sharp force injuries, and the manner of death has been ruled homicide.
36-year-old Heidi Tasker is currently being held without bail at the Penobscot County Jail. She was expected to make her first court appearance on Monday.
Further updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.
HANCOCK COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
The following are the public releases from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department. Each image can be clicked on and expanded.
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