Head-on crash kills East Machias woman

MACHIAS – A 38-year-old East Machias woman was killed Friday night when the vehicle she was driving collided head-on with another car on the Kennebec Road.

Around 5:45 p.m., Lorena Gagnon and her passengers Glen Seavey, age unknown, of East Machias and a 15-year-old boy were traveling south on the Kennebec Road toward Roque Bluffs when the accident occurred, said Machias Police Chief Steve Ramsey.

The Gagnon vehicle was following a tow truck driven by Earl Johnson. The tow truck, owned by Johnson’s Town Line Auto Service in East Machias, was pulling a Ford Aerostar van.

When Gagnon attempted to pass the tow truck, her Oldsmobile, year unknown, collided head-on with a car driven by David Waycott of Machias. Police said Waycott is in his 20s.

Jennifer Stemplinski, 21, and her 2-year-old son, who was strapped in a car seat, were in the Waycott vehicle. The Gagnon vehicle flipped onto its roof and traveled more than 100 feet before it came to a stop. Gagnon was dead at the scene.

The chief said Seavey left the scene of the accident but later Friday night turned up at the Maine State Police Troop J barracks in East Machias. The 15-year-old was taken to Down East Community Hospital in Machias, was treated and released.

Waycott and Stemplinski had to be extricated from the Toyota Corolla. They, along with Stemplinski’s son, were taken by ambulance to DECH. Waycott and Jennifer Stemplinski were in stable condition Sunday night. Ramsey said the child’s injuries appeared to be minor.

Machias Fire and Rescue and officers from the Washington County Sheriff’s Department and the state Marine Patrol assisted at the scene.

The accident is being reconstructed by Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Inman.

Ramsey said the incident still was under investigation, including the determination of whether those involved were wearing seat belts.