Houlton police investigate two-car accident

HOULTON – A two-car accident that on Monday night left three people with injuries is under investigation by the Houlton Police Department, according to Houlton Police Chief Dan Soucy.

All six people involved in the crash were taken that night to Houlton Regional Hospital and later released, a hospital spokeswoman said Tuesday.

The accident occurred just before 10 p.m. on U.S. Route 1, which also is referred to as North Street within town limits, near the entrance to the local roller skating rink.

Heather Flewelling, 17, of Littleton, was driving her 2001 Ford four-door sedan when she came upon a 1997 Ford four-door sedan, driven by Darryl Thorpe, 41, of Sanford, N.C. Both vehicles were traveling north.

Thorpe was traveling at a slower rate of speed than Flewelling, but by the time she realized it, it was too late to avoid striking his car, the chief said.

The left front of Flewelling’s vehicle struck the right rear of Thorpe’s vehicle causing what Soucy described as an offset collision.

Flewelling was alone in her vehicle, but Thorpe had four passengers: his family members Teresa Thorpe, 46; Timothy Thorpe, 13; Joseph Thorpe, 7; and Sara Thorpe, 20.

Reportedly, Flewelling received a burn injury on her arm from the air bag deployment, while Darryl Thorpe had a neck injury and Teresa Thorpe received leg injuries, Soucy said.

Both an ambulance and the Houlton Fire Department’s rescue unit were called to the accident scene, the chief said.

Police have not made any charges at this time, though Soucy said charges may be pending.

The accident still is under investigation by Cpl. Thomas Donahue of the Houlton Police Department. He is being assisted by Deputy Vance Palmer of the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department.