NORTHPORT – Black ice was blamed for an accident that claimed the life of a local man Saturday morning.

Grantly A. Michell, 56, of Cross Street was killed when his vehicle skidded off the road and he was partially ejected and the vehicle landed on top of him. Michell was not wearing a seat belt.

The crash occurred on Nebraska Road at approximately 9:15 a.m. Saturday. Michell was driving south toward the transfer station in a 1992 Geo Tracker soft top when he hit a patch of black ice and skidded off the road into an embankment. Michell was partially ejected through the passenger window and the rolling vehicle landed on his upper torso. He died instantly.

The police report indicated that “the roadway was extremely slippery and unsanded” at the time of the accident.

Waldo County Deputy Sheriffs Ben Seekins and Merl Reed handled the investigation. They were assisted at the scene by members of the Northport and Lincolnville fire and EMS departments. Northport first responders and the Belfast Ambulance Service also went to the accident scene.

wgriffin@bangordailynews.net

338-9546