Corinna teen pleads not guilty in fatal crash

BANGOR – A Corinna teenager pleaded not guilty in Penobscot County Superior Court on Friday to manslaughter, driving to endanger and criminal speeding.

Mark Belair II, 19, was driving 17-year-old classmate Savannah Warren to graduation rehearsal at Dexter Regional High School on June 3, when his 1999 Hyundai Accent left the road and struck a tree. Warren died of her injuries the next day at Eastern Maine Medical Center.

If convicted of manslaughter, Belair faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The accident occurred at 11:53 a.m. on Route 43, also known as the St. Albans Road, a short distance from the Somerset County line, according to accident reports filed by the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department.

Belair was traveling east when he lost control of his vehicle at the top of a steep hill. The car crossed the westbound lane, left the road, went airborne over a culvert and down a steep embankment before striking a tree broadside.

Warren, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the vehicle. Belair, who was wearing a seat belt, was able to escape from the vehicle before it burst into flames. He suffered injuries to his arm and shoulder.

Police estimated that Belair was driving 85 mph. The posted speed limit where the accident occurred is 50 mph. Belair remains free on unsecured bond. A trial date has not been set.