Androscoggin County prosecutors will consult with outside experts before deciding whether to file charges in connection with an October haunted hayride crash that killed Oakland teenager Cassidy Charette and injured 22 other riders, including six Messalonskee High School students.
Andrew Matulis, an assistant district attorney, said his office received a final investigation report on the crash around Thanksgiving from the Office of State Fire Marshal, but that he needs more information before deciding whether charges will be filed against the owners of Harvest Hill Farms in Mechanic Falls. He said his office will consult with experts outside his office and the state fire marshal’s office, but declined to discuss what kind of experts and what information are needed, citing the ongoing investigation.
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Matulis said all files connected to the case have been sealed, and a copy of the report cannot be released.
Charette, 17, was killed in the Oct. 11 accident at the popular hayride attraction. A 1979 Jeep CJ-5 that was pulling a trailer has been the focus of the investigation. Police have said the Jeep went out of control while going down a long, steep hill and crashed into trees.
Matulis anticipates the district attorney’s office will make a decision about the case by February.
The communities that make up Regional School District 18 — Oakland, Belgrade, Sidney, Rome and China — adopted the slogan “Messalonskee Strong” following the tragedy.
Teammates and fellow students recalled Charette as an athlete, a student and a friend. Charette, a junior at Messalonskee who played girls soccer, was selected posthumously as Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class A Player of the Year.
Among the injured in the Oct. 11 hayride accident was Charette’s 16-year-old boyfriend, Connor Garland, of Belgrade, who was treated and released from Boston Children’s Hospital.
As of last month, Messalonskee High School in Oakland had received about $12,000 in donations toward scholarship funds set up in honor of Charette, the school’s general-assistance fund, which benefits students in need, and a fund to help pay Garland’s medical bills.
In October, a service was held in Charette’s memory at the Thomas College gymnasium in Waterville. The Charette family released a statement at the time saying they were “overwhelmed and grateful by the outpouring of support in this community and beyond, for our family and friends and all of those who loved our Cassidy.”
The Morning Sentinel staff contributed to this report.
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