UPDATED: Bar Harbor Woman Seriously Injured in Truck and Bicycle Accident
Police logs
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BAR HARBOR—According to a Bar Harbor/Mount Desert Police Department accident report by Officer Elias Burne, at approximately 8:36 a.m. today, August 13, 2024, Kaia Douglas, 23, of Bar Harbor, was riding a bicycle north on School Street, against the one-way traffic. Chris Strout, 44, of Bar Harbor was driving a 2022 Dodge Ram 1500 east on Mount Desert Street and slowing down to make a right-hand turn onto School Street.
As Strout began to turn onto School Street, his truck and the bicycle, with Douglas on it, collided and the bicycle ended up under the front of the truck. Douglas was transported to the MDI Hospital by the Bar Harbor Fire Department ambulance for serious and incapacitating injuries.
As of Tuesday evening, the College of the Atlantic has stated that Douglas is at home and recovering. Though her injuries were defined as incapacitating, she is doing quite well, the college reports.
It is not known for sure if Douglas was wearing a helmet or not. According to Officer Burne, she was not wearing one when he arrived on scene and he did not locate one on scene.
School Street from Mount Desert Street to Newton Way was closed to traffic for approximately two hours and fifteen minutes.
The accident remains under investigation. The Bar Harbor Police Department was assisted by the Bar Harbor Fire Department and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.
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.
NOTE: Due to the increased volume of calls during the summer, we are not going to print minor traffic accidents.
Monday, August 5, 2024
An officer spoke with a Bar Harbor resident regarding delivery trucks making unreasonable noise during quiet hours and made a report.
Officer Caleb Mora took a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor but didn’t locate the vehicle until it was parked and unoccupied.
An officer spoke with a Bar Harbor resident regarding state firearm laws.
Following a traffic stop in Mount Desert, Officer Mora summonsed Gilbert Cabrera Lopez, 35, of Southwest Harbor for alleged operating without a license.
Officer Elias Burne served some paperwork in Bar Harbor.
Officer Zack Kline served some paperwork in Bar Harbor.
Officer Burne spoke with a Bar Harbor resident regarding a dog incident. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Burne responded to an overdose involving narcotics in Bar Harbor. The subject was administered Narcan and transported to MDI Hospital.
Sgt. Jerrod Hardy responded to a report of an open door at a closed Bar Harbor business. Sgt. Hardy checked the property and then secured the door.
Officer Amie Torrey took a report of a dog bite from a woman in Mount Desert. The incident had occurred in Acadia National Park and the park was notified.
Officer Torrey assisted the Mount Desert Fire Department with a medical call.
Someone made a motor vehicle complaint to the Bar Harbor Police Department. No further information or disposition was given.
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
Officer Liam Harrington investigated an alleged liquor license violation at the Barnacle in Bar Harbor.
Officer Nathan Formby assisted the Southwest Harbor Police Department.
Officer Kline served a protection order denial to a Bar Harbor resident.
Officer Troy Stanwood performed a well-being check on someone in Bar Harbor at the request of a neighbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Lydia Whiteley, 32, of Maryland, was driving a 2016 Jeep Cherokee north on Route 102, by Triple Chick Farm in Bar Harbor, when she allegedly failed to slow down for a 2024 Subaru Outback driven by Mariana Sorensen, 68, of Pennsylvania that was stopped in traffic and attempting to make a left-hand turn, striking the rear of the Subaru. Sorensen’s vehicle was spun around from the impact into the opposing lane of travel. The front seat passenger in Whiteley’s vehicle sustained minor injuries and the rear seat passenger in Whiteley’s vehicle sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to MDI Hospital. Both vehicles were towed from the scene due to disabling damage. Whiteley was issued a summons for alleged failure to maintain control of a motor vehicle.
An officer performed a well-being check on a Mount Desert resident at the request of the Southwest Harbor Police Department and found the person to be fine.
Officer Burne spoke with someone in Mount Desert about a civil issue and provided them with some guidance.
Officer Burne issued a no trespassing warning to a Mount Desert resident.
Officer Tyler Beal responded to a loose dog complaint in Bar Harbor but could not locate the dog.
Officer Burne responded to a report of a verbal argument at a Bar Harbor apartment and warned the parties for disorderly conduct.
Someone called the Bar Harbor Police Department to report some information.
Officer Justin Burnett performed a well-being check on a Mount Desert resident and found them to be okay.
Officer Formby took a report of fraud in Bar Harbor and gave the victim some resource information.
The Bar Harbor Police Department took a report of suspicious activity at College of the Atlantic that was deemed to be unsubstantiated.
Officer Formby handled a noise complaint in Bar Harbor and got the involved parties to quiet down for the evening.
Officer Formby spoke with someone in Bar Harbor about a suspicious situation and advised the person on how to handle the situation.
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Officer Formby assisted the Bar Harbor Fire Department with a medical call.
Someone reported a loose dog in Bar Harbor and an officer contacted the dog owner who went to get the dog.
Officer Mora handled an unattended death of a 79-year-old woman in Mount Desert that appeared to be from a medical event.
Officer Stanwood responded to a dog in a car complaint in Bar Harbor and found that the dog was no longer in the car when he arrived.
Officer Mora handled a reported motor vehicle theft in Mount Desert. It turned out that an employee had been given permission to use a company vehicle but accidently taken the wrong one.
Officer Mora fingerprinted someone in Bar Harbor.
Officer Mora worked a traffic control detail for a private event.
Officer Burne responded to a report of a child screaming, The child had a run in with some fire ants and Officer Burne handled the complaint “accordingly.”
Officer Kaleb Payson gave someone in Bar Harbor a ride to their hotel.
Thursday, August 8, 2024
At 4:25 a.m., a jack-knifed tractor trailer was reported to be blocking both travel lanes on the Eagle Lake Road in Bar Harbor which shut down the road for a number of hours before the truck could be removed.
Sgt. Soren Sundberg took a report of a man dancing in the street in Mount Desert. Sgt. Sundberg located the man and determined that he was not in the streets and was dancing to music playing through his headphones.
Officer Stanwood took a report of an erratic driver in Mount Desert but was unable to locate the vehicle.
Officer Stanwood responded to a report of a disabled vehicle in Otter Creek but the vehicle was gone upon his arrival.
Someone found a lost dog in Seal Harbor and the Mount Desert Police Department created a Facebook post which enabled the owner to be found.
Officer Stanwood provided a police detail for a public speaking function in Seal Harbor.
Sgt. Chris Dickens provided an escort for the Neighborhood House’s annual children’s bicycle parade in Northeast Harbor.
Officer Burne met with someone in the lobby of the Bar Harbor Police Department to discuss a non-criminal matter.
Sgt. Dickens responded to a chimney fire at a Somesville residence and assisted with traffic control.
A lost dog was brought to the Bar Harbor Police Department where it was reunited with its owner.
Friday, August 9, 2024
Officer Burnett received a noise complaint in Northeast Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Payson handled a noise complaint in Bar Harbor that was deemed unsubstantiated.
Officer Kline responded to a complaint of people camping in their vehicle on Kebo Street in Bar Harbor and moved the people along after explaining the town’s ordinance prohibiting camping in vehicles.
Sgt. Sundberg was given information about a non-criminal matter involving a business in Mount Desert.
Roy Shepherd, 57, of Mount Desert was driving a 2008 GMC SUV west on Indian Point Road in Mount Desert when he allegedly lost control of the vehicle and struck a tree head-on. Shepherd was complaining of chest pain from the steering wheel and was transported to MDI Hospital. The vehicle suffered front-end damage and was towed from the scene. Shepherd was summonsed for alleged operating without a license.
Someone reported that their vehicle may have been stolen in Bar Harbor. The vehicle was located in a parking lot by a parking enforcement officer. No further information or disposition was given.
Someone went to the Bar Harbor Police Department to have a matter documented.
Sgt. Dickens blocked off a widening hole in the pavement at the intersection of Main Street and Pleasant Street in Bar Harbor.
Officer Formby took a report of fraud in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Someone reported a lost dinghy to Officer Torrey. No further information or disposition was given.
Officers responded to a report of a verbal altercation on the Higgins Farm Road in Bar Harbor. The involved parties were ordered to stay away from each other.
Officer Formby attempted to locate a vehicle that was the subject of a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor but could not locate the vehicle.
Officers assisted with a medical call in Mount Desert.
An animal complaint was made to the Bar Harbor Police Department. No further information or disposition was given.
A noise complaint was made to the Bar Harbor Police Department. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Payson responded to a suspicious person complaint in Mount Desert but could not locate anyone suspicious.
Saturday, August 10, 2024
After conducting a motor vehicle stop in Bar Harbor, Officer Judson Cake arrested Richelle Merchant, 36, of Hancock, for alleged operating under the influence.
The Bar Harbor Police Department received a report of multiple tents being blown toward Eden Street in Bar Harbor due to the high winds. No further information or disposition was given.
Trees were reported as having blown down in both Mount Desert and Bar Harbor during the high winds. One was removed by Mount Desert Highway Department and the other was removed by the property manager.
The Bar Harbor Police Department is investigating the report of a theft from a Bar Harbor business.
Officer Kline investigated a reported downed power line in Bar Harbor, found it to be a cable line and Consolidated Communications was made aware.
The Bar Harbor Police Department received a 911 call from a boater who had lost power and was able to get other boats to assist them in getting back to shore.
Sgt. Sundberg was provided information about Bar Harbor businesses. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Lukas Keene performed a special detail in Hulls Cove for a Friends of Acadia event.
Officers assisted the Bar Harbor Fire Department with a medical call.
Following a noise complaint regarding an event taking place in Hulls Cove, the event staff was asked to turn down the music. There were no further complaints.
Sunday, August 11, 2024
Sgt. Dickens and Officer Burnett responded to a noise complaint at Blackwoods Campground and directed the involved parties to be quiet for the remainder of the night.
Officer Formby mediated a dispute between two people in Bar Harbor.
Somebody reported that a squirrel had been killed with a shotgun in downtown Bar Harbor. The squirrel actually died from a power transformer explosion that resulted in a loud bang and a loss of electricity.
Sgt. Sundberg assisted the Maine State Police with a complaint in Bar Harbor.
Officer Torrey received a complaint regarding speeding vehicles in Mount Desert. No further information or disposition was given.
Someone found a quantity of illegal drugs in a downtown Bar Harbor parking lot and turned them over to the Bar Harbor Police Department who documented and disposed of the drugs.
Officer Torrey handled a disabled motor vehicle complaint on Peabody Drive in Mount Desert and gave the occupants a ride home after the tow truck arrived.
Sgt. Dickens responded to a report of an unattended vehicle left running for an extended amount of time on West Street in Bar Harbor but could not locate the vehicle.
Someone passed some information on to the Bar Harbor Police Department.
Someone made a report of a suspicious person in Hall Quarry. No further information or disposition was given.
Someone reported suspicious activity in Mount Desert but nothing suspicious was located by Officer Payson.
Officer Formby warned someone for a municipal ordinance violation in Bar Harbor.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR AND TREMONT
The following incidents occurred in Southwest Harbor last week according to the Southwest Harbor Police Department police log, which is publicly released information.
NOTE: Due to the increased volume of calls during the summer, we are not going to print minor traffic accidents.
Monday, August 5, 2024
Officer Ryan Blakeney responded to Tremont for a report of a dog bite. Officer Blakeney spoke with the involved parties and the Animal Control Officer and advised the dog owner of the process going forward.
Officer Blakeney took a report of a cat that had been struck by a car in Southwest Harbor and upon responding and looking for the cat, saw the cat run off “speedily” into the woods.
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
After responding to an assault complaint in Southwest Harbor and speaking with the victim, Officer Blakeney asked the Bar Harbor Police Department to look for the suspect. The BHPD was able to locate and stop the suspect, Timothy Stanley, 30, of Ellsworth. After investigation, Stanley was arrested for alleged assault and was placed on a probation hold. Stanley was also summonsed for alleged violation of conditions of release and alleged operating under the influence.
Officer James Kamorksi responded to a report of a person sleeping in their vehicle on a road in Tremont. Officer Kamorski located the vehicle and after speaking with the occupant, moved them along.
Officer Kamorski performed a well-being check on someone in Southwest Harbor and found them to be okay.
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Officer Bradley Russell spoke with a Tremont resident regarding a civil issue and documented the information.
Someone from Tremont went to the Southwest Harbor Police Department to comply with their sex offender registry requirements.
Officer Russell responded to a report of a stolen vehicle in Southwest Harbor, but by the time he arrived, the vehicle had been returned. After investigation, it was determined that there was some confusion as to who could use the vehicle.
Officer Kamorksi responded to a 911 call in Southwest Harbor regarding a person who said they were lost and gave the caller directions on how to get where they wanted to go.
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Officer Kamorski responded to a report of a disabled motor vehicle on the Seawall Road in Southwest Harbor and called a tow truck for the driver.
Officer Blakeney was heading to do a well-being check in Southwest Harbor but was told that the subject of the check had been contacted and was all set.
Officer Russell helped a Southwest Harbor resident get back into their apartment after they had locked themselves out.
Someone brought a dog that they had found tied to a tree into the Southwest Harbor Police Department and Officer Russell located the dog’s owner and returned the dog.
Officer Russell responded to Tremont for a complaint of people parking improperly at an event and was able to resolve the issue.
Friday, August 9, 2024
Officer Kamorski responded to a complaint at Bass Harbor Campground in Tremont for the report of a disorderly man. With the assistance of a Hancock County Sheriff’s deputy, Thomas McIntire of Mount Desert was arrested for alleged violation of conditions of release.
Officer Kamorski is investigating a burglary complaint in Tremont.
Officer Kamorski responded with the Southwest Harbor ambulance to a report of a person who had fallen into the water, was in the water for about 20 minutes, and was very cold. The person who had fallen into the water was taken care of by EMS personnel while Officer Kamorski handled the person’s spouse who was intoxicated.
Saturday, August 10, 2024
No reportable incidents.
Sunday, August 11, 2024
Someone brought a loose dog into the Southwest Harbor Police Department and the owner came in to pick up their dog a few hours later.
Officer Kamorksi responded to a complaint of people shooting in Southwest Harbor but could not locate any gunshots upon responding.
STATE POLICE PRESS RELEASES
These are the Maine State Police press releases from the last few days. The Bar Harbor Story will include this each week though most (and sometimes all) do not occur in Bar Harbor.
Maine State Police Investigating Shooting Death in Poland
POLAND—The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South is assisting the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office with a shooting death that occurred at 252 White Oak Hill Road in Poland on Friday, August 2, 2024, at approximately 7:50 p.m. The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where an autopsy will be performed to determine cause and manner of death.
The victim in the Poland Shooting has been identified as 51-year-old Richard Tayman Jr. of Oxford. The Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta has determined that the cause of death is a single gunshot wound and the manner of death is homicide. The individual responsible for the shooting is cooperating with the investigation. The investigation is ongoing. Additional information will be released when it’s appropriate to do so.
Maine State Police Investigating Tractor Trailer Crash in Stockton Springs
STOCKTON SPRINGS—On Friday, August 9, 2024, at approximately 5:30 a.m., a tractor trailer transporting a windmill blade to Columbia, Maine, collided with the railroad bridge that crosses over Route 1 in Stockton Springs. The collision caused both the tractor and trailer hauling the blade to overturn shutting down Route 1. There were no injuries sustained from the crash and crews worked for the next several hours to upright the load and reload it on to a new trailer to return it back to the port in Searsport.
The initial investigation indicates the driver of the tractor trailer did not position the vehicle far enough into the left lane to navigate the lower side of the train trestle resulting in the crash. The windmill blade, mounted on large brackets, struck the trestle, causing the truck, trailer, and blade to roll over.
The Maine State Police, Stockton Springs Fire Department, Waldo County Sheriff’s Office, Maine Department of Transportation, and Maine Department of Environmental Protection were on scene. STX, the employer of the truck driver, and representatives from the railroad also responded to assess the situation. Fortunately, the bridge sustained only minor damage.
Due to the length of the windmill blade, turning the vehicle around was not feasible. The only viable option was to load the blade onto another trailer and reverse it back to Searsport. This complex operation was coordinated by the teams on site. After the transfer to a new trailer, the plan was to move the blade back to Searsport early Saturday morning. Route 1 in the area of the crash remained closed for most of the day. Traffic on Route 1 was re-routed from the bridge to 174A, to 1A, and back to Route 1.
Later that day, the 240-foot-long windmill blade was transferred to another tractor trailer which was been positioned to the right side of Route 1. An escort vehicle stayed with the tractor trailer overnight. Route 1 was re-opened to traffic; however, it was expected to close at 4:30 a.m. Saturday morning to facilitate the transfer back to Searsport.
The windmill blade was moved from Stockton Springs at 4:30 a.m. Saturday morning and arrived in Searsport at 7:00 a.m. with no issues. Troopers were able to keep Route 1 open during the transfer except for the last few hundred yards where the road was shut down for approximately 10 minutes.
Photos via Maine State Police
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigating Explosion in Sinclair in Aroostook County
SINCLAIR—On Saturday, August 10, 2024, at approximately 7:00 p.m., investigators from the Fire Marshal’s Office responded to an explosion that occurred at a residence at 441 Shore Road in Sinclair. The owner of the residence was home at the time. He was transported to a local hospital and is being treated for what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. The residence is a complete loss.
The explosion also caused a second residence to catch fire. The second residence was occupied at the time, but the homeowner was able to get out safely. That residence is also a complete loss. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation. Investigators will be on scene all day interviewing witnesses and processing the scene.
Assisting on the scene were the following agencies: North Lakes Fire and Rescue, St. Agatha Fire Department, Fort Kent Fire Department, Frenchville Fire Department, Fort Kent Ambulance Service, and the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office.
Photos via Maine State Police
Maine State Police Investigating Fatal Crash in Penobscot County
T3 ndian Purchase Township—On Saturday, August 10, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m., troopers responded to a crash on the Golden Road in T3 Indian Purchase Township. The initial investigation indicates that a gray 2023 Toyota Tacoma was traveling westbound on Golden Road when the vehicle went off the roadway to the right, re-entered the road and then went off the road to the left striking a group of trees before rolling onto its side.
There were three occupants in the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was 33-year-old William Tobey of Rollinsford, New Hampshire, the front passenger was 24-year-old Benjamin Farquhar of Millinocket, and the rear passenger was 23-year-old Benjamin Harvey of Rollinsford, New Hampshire, who was pronounced deceased on scene. Tobey suffered minor injuries. Farquhar was transported to Millinocket Regional Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. It does not appear that any of the occupants were wearing seatbelts. The crash remains under investigation however speed and alcohol appear to be factors in the crash.
Assisting on scene was the East Millinocket Fire Department, EMS and East Millinocket Police Department.
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.
UPDATE: We have updated this article to reflect that Strout was traveling east and not west on Mount Desert Street.
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