Two people were taken to a local hospital Sunday afternoon following a head-on collision on U.S. Route 2 in Palmyra.
One of two vehicles involved Sunday in a head-on crash in Palmyra. Somerset County Sheriff’s Office photo
Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster said a 2010 Honda Civic that was traveling east struck a 2006 Chevy Silverado pickup being driven west at about 4:10 p.m. Sunday.
The investigation showed that the driver of the Chevy pickup was Jeffrey Branco, 30, of Palmyra. His passenger was Melissa Demassini, 27, also of Palmyra. The operator of the Honda Civic was Cynthia Bridges, 55, of Skowhegan.
Lancaster said the Honda Civic drifted across the center line, entered the westbound lane and struck the Chevy pickup head on. He said a hydraulic extrication tool, similar to the Jaws of Life, from Pittsfield Fire Department was used to remove Demassini from the pickup. Demassini and Bridges were taken to Sebasticook Valley Hospital in Pittsfield.
None of the injuries appeared to be life threatening, the sheriff said.
“The cause of the accident has been determined that Cynthia Bridges had fallen asleep at the wheel,” Lancaster said. “Alcohol and speed are not factors in the crash.”
Corporal Joseph Jackson and Deputy Logan Roberts responded.
The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Newport Fire Department, Pittsfield Fire Department and Sebasticook Valley Ambulance.
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