Ellsworth man hurt in motorcycle crash

BAR HARBOR – A 26-year-old motorcyclist was flown Friday to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor after he slammed into a tree along Route 3 while trying to pass a trio of vehicles, police said.

Chris Wilson of Ellsworth was still being evaluated Friday evening, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Wilson was traveling west toward Trenton behind two cars and a truck at about 3:30 p.m., according to Bar Harbor Patrolman Timothy Bland. The pickup truck was following a car and Wilson, at the back of the pack, was following another car, Bland said.

Wilson pulled out to pass the three vehicles at the same time Douglas Eaton, 29, of Sedgewick, pulled his GMC pick-up into the passing lane to pass the first car in the line, Bland said.

Wilson struck the driver’s side of Eaton’s truck, flew into the air an estimated 42 feet and then struck a tree near the Pirate’s Cove mini-golf park. Wilson’s 2002 Suzuki struck the tree about 10 feet from the ground. The tree snapped from the impact, Bland said. “Speed was definitely a factor,” Bland said. “We’re lucky it wasn’t a fatal.”

Wilson said he was driving 55 to 60 miles an hour in a 50 mph zone, Bland said. There were double solid lines down that stretch of Route 3, but they serve only as guidance for motorists and are not enforceable, Bland said.

No charges will be filed, the officer said.

Wilson was wearing a helmet.

Bar Harbor Ambulance called for the LifeFlight helicopter from Eastern Maine Medical Center and then transported Wilson to the town ball field on Main Street, where the helicopter was waiting.

Wilson left for Bangor at about 4:30 p.m., Bland said.

Eaton’s truck sustained about $500 damage, but he was not injured. Neither of the two cars was involved in the accident, Bland said.