Early morning crash kills 3 on Route 114

SEBAGO – Three people were killed Thursday when a pickup truck fleeing a sheriff’s deputy crashed into a tree.

The crash that ended the 5-mile pursuit took place around 12:20 a.m. along Route 114.

Killed were Joshua Plummer, 24, of Naples; Matthew Waugh, 22, of Westbrook; and Tamera Hearn, 18, of Lafayette, Ore., authorities said Thursday.

Plummer, who was driving, was operating under a suspension at the time and had several motor vehicle convictions, authorities said.

Deputy Raymond McIntire gave chase after spotting the pickup truck running a stop sign and driving erratically in Naples. The chase went down a string of back roads, and at one time the truck exceeded 82 mph.

From the time McIntire activated his blue lights and siren, the chase lasted about 31/2 minutes, authorities said.

An investigation revealed that Waugh had bought a 30-pack of beer and two six-packs of hard lemonade at a convenience store in Bridgton earlier in the evening; later the group bought an additional two 12-packs, authorities said.

Sheriff Mark Dion said investigators were looking into whether the three had attended a party that night in Raymond.

Investigators blamed excessive speed and alcohol. Maine State Police were conducting a reconstruction of the accident.