Lincoln man’s coughing fit causes car accident

A Lincoln man’s car went off the road and into the trees late Sunday afternoon when he had a coughing fit that drew his attention from the road, according to the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department.

Richard Gagne, 54, was headed northbound on U.S. Route 2 in Enfield when he suffered the coughing fit.

A Sheriff’s Department spokesman said Gagne’s Oldsmobile was destroyed in the crash and he was transported to Penobscot Valley Hospital with chest pain, but was later released.

A Bangor man contacted local police Saturday evening after he recognized unauthorized transactions on his Visa Check Card from June 10 to 18.

The unauthorized charges occurred in the Gardena, Calif., area and totaled $1,945, police said. Most of the charges were made at gas stations and chain department stores.

Once he noticed the fraudulent charges, the man was advised by his bank to close his account and notify authorities, he told police.

– Compiled by BDN reporter Toni-Lynn Robbins