Motorcyclist killed in crash in Baileyville

BAILEYVILLE – A 57-year-old New Brunswick man who was riding his motorcycle on Route 9 on Sunday was killed when a pickup truck crossed the center line and struck him, police said.

Two others were injured.

Shortly after 5 p.m. Gordon Lister of Dufferin, New Brunswick, driving a 2003 Yamaha V-Star motorcycle, was traveling east on Route 9 toward the junction of Routes 9 and 1 when the fatal accident occurred.

Christopher Grant 36, of Calais, driving a 1992 Dodge Dakota truck, was traveling in the opposite direction when his vehicle crossed the center line, striking Lister’s motorcycle, Baileyville Police Chief Phil Harriman said Sunday night.

Lister, who was wearing a helmet, was thrown over the guardrail and onto the side of the road. He was taken by ambulance to Calais Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The Grant vehicle then continued down the road and struck a 2001 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by John “Jack” Smith, 75, of Calais, who was traveling behind the motorcycle. The Grant vehicle finally came to rest against the guardrail more than 100 feet down the road.

Smith’s truck then struck the motorcycle, which was lying in the path of his vehicle. His vehicle traveled another few feet, also coming to rest against the guardrail. The motorcycle’s front wheel and handlebars were ripped from the rest of the machine, and parts of the motorcycle were strewn more than 100 feet along the road.

Smith’s wife, Sally, no age given, was injured in the accident and was taken to Calais Regional Hospital by ambulance. Her condition was not known Sunday night, although it appears the injuries were not life-threatening.

Grant also was taken by ambulance to the hospital. His condition also was unknown late Sunday, although a LifeFlight helicopter took him to a Bangor hospital.

Traffic on Route 9 was reopened to two-way traffic around 6:15 p.m.

Trooper David Barnard of the Maine State Police was called in to reconstruct the accident.

The Baileyville fire and ambulance departments and Downeast EMS of Calais assisted the police.

Harriman said the accident remained under investigation. “It will be determined later if there will be charges,” he said.