Littleton accidents tie up trooper 2 crashes reported on same road

LITTLETON – A Maine State Police trooper was definitely not stationary on Station Road on Friday evening as he reportedly dealt with a speeder who tried to avoid a traffic stop just as a motorcycle collided with an animal a short distance away.

Maine State Police Sgt. David McPherson said that Trooper Brian Harris was on routine patrol on Station Road around 9:40 p.m. when he encountered a 1997 Ford Escort that he believed to be speeding.

When he attempted to stop the vehicle, its driver, 24-year-old Halston Willey, allegedly decided that he did not want to cooperate.

Willey, whose hometown was unavailable, allegedly led Harris on a short pursuit across the street and onto Carmichael Road. The chase ended when Willey’s car careened into a grove of trees and went off the road. Willey soon was arrested after attempting to flee the vehicle, which was registered to his mother.

Willey was charged with operating a motor vehicle after revocation, eluding a police officer and violation of bail conditions stemming from a prior motor vehicle violation arrest.

He was not injured, but the vehicle had approximately $3,000 in damage.

While that was going on, an accident was unfolding just a short distance away.

McPherson said Richard Wiggins, 46, of Linneus was driving his 2002 Harley-Davidson motorcycle on Station Road when a dog ran into his path. Aboard the motorcycle with Wiggins was Steven Wiggins, his 15-year-old son.

The collision spilled the bike and riders. The younger Wiggins suffered an ankle injury. He was wearing a helmet. Richard Wiggins, who was not wearing a helmet, suffered head injuries, according to the sergeant.

Both father and son were taken to Houlton Regional Hospital by the Houlton Ambulance Department.

No further information about the elder Wiggins’ condition could be ascertained Tuesday.

The dog was killed.

The Houlton Fire Department assisted at the scene.