Greenville woman dies from collision injuries

BANGOR – An 81-year-old Greenville woman has died from the injuries she suffered in an accident when she pulled in front of a tractor-trailer Tuesday night in Shirley.

Lois Young was taken from the scene by helicopter to Eastern Maine Medical Center, where she died later Tuesday night, an investigator said Wednesday.

The investigation is largely completed, but authorities are awaiting the results of the reconstruction by the Maine State Police to determine how fast the tractor-trailer was going, Deputy Allen Emerson of the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department said Wednesday.

However, Emerson said it was clear that Young suddenly pulled out in front of the tractor-trailer that was hauling recyclable plastics.

“He didn’t even have time to apply his brakes,” Emerson said about Michael Gorman, 53, of Hanover, Pa., the driver of the truck. Gorman was not injured in the accident.

The accident occurred shortly after 5 p.m. as Young turned onto Route 15 from the Shirley Road and into the path of the tractor-trailer.

Young was trapped inside the 2001 Ford Taurus, and rescue personnel from Greenville and Shirley used extricating equipment to remove her from the vehicle, the deputy said. She was then airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to EMMC.

A section of the road was closed and traffic rerouted for more than four hours as officials worked on the investigation. The intersection was reopened about 9:30 p.m., Emerson said.

As part of the investigation, the tractor-trailer was inspected at the scene by the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement division of the Maine State Police.

Emerson said that there was no indication of mechanical problems that would have contributed to the accident.

The accident demolished Young’s car and caused at least $30,000 to the tractor-trailer, according to the deputy.