Presque Isle Accident Kills One [VIDEO]

On Monday, Feb. 18, the Presque Isle police department responded to a car crash on Conant Road. The crash involved a City of Presque Isle plow truck, a log truck, and two other vehicles.

Philip Bird, 60, from Fort Fairfield, was traveling west on Conant Road in a 2008 Chevrolet pickup when the car struck head on with a 2006 International plow truck, owned by the City of Presque Isle that was traveling east. The plow truck was operated by Wayne Howlett, 40, from Mapleton.

The two cars came to a stop. Shortly thereafter, a 2002 Ford Escape driven by David Hayes, 63, from Fort Fairfield and a passenger - Roman Yoder, 22, also from Fort Fairfield, stopped behind the city plow truck. A 2006 Western Star hauling a loaded log trailer, operated by Leigh Gordon, 56 from Ashland,was traveling east. Gordon’s log truck struck from behind Haye’s vehicle and pushed it into the plow truck - trapping both Hayes and Yoder inside. The two had to be extricated.

Yoder was pronounced dead at the scene and Hayes was transported to the Aroostook Medical Center. He is still in critical condition.

The police department is still investigating the cause of the accident, but city officials the whiteout conditions contributed to the car crash.

At a press conference, Presque Isle Deputy City Manager Martin Puckett, advised people to stay inside and avoid driving during difficult weather conditions.