2 hurt, traffic blocked in Northport accident

NORTHPORT – A two-vehicle accident on Route 1 injured two drivers and blocked heavy traffic for nearly two hours Sunday.

Mary Ann Barrett, 56, of Islesboro was in stable condition at Waldo County General Hospital in Belfast on Sunday afternoon, according to a nursing supervisor. John Richards, 52, of Lincolnville was treated and released.

Barrett was headed south on Route 1 in her 2001 Jeep Cherokee and Richards was traveling north when it appears that Barrett dozed off, said Deputy Ben Seekins. Richards’ 1998 Ford pickup truck and the Jeep hit head-on, according to Seekins. Both vehicles were totaled, he said. Barrett had to be extricated from her vehicle.

A witness told the deputy that Barrett’s vehicle crossed the centerline and the breakdown lane on the opposite side of Route 1. Richards attempted to avoid the Jeep, but he hit it head-on. The vehicles spun around, with the Jeep landing backward in the ditch on the northbound side.

There were no charges stemming from the 11:35 a.m. crash, Seekins said.

Both drivers were wearing seat belts and their air bags opened upon impact.

Barrett suffered a broken wrist and Richards had minor cuts and abrasions, according to Seekins.

The Waldo County Sheriff’s Department and Maine State Police reconstructed the accident. Belfast Ambulance and Northport Rescue took the injured drivers to the hospital and the Lincolnville Fire Department assisted.