Reported by Bangor Daily News on September 14, 2010 and September 15, 2010
DEDHAM, Maine — A family of three from Jonesport was killed and an Orono man was injured Tuesday in a two-vehicle crash on U. . Route 1A.
Killed in the accident were Carlos A. Tapia, 34, his wife, Rachelle R. Tapia, 23, and Rachelle Tapia’s 4-year-old daughter, Mackenzie Gray, who was Carlos Tapia’s stepdaughter.
The three people who died were members of a U. . Coast Guard family based in Jonesport, where Carlos Tapia was stationed, Senior Chief Petty Officer Chris Purdy confirmed late Tuesday night.
“It’s all hands with my crew here,” Purdy said, adding that a counseling session will be held this morning with personnel from Sector Portland and that a Coast Guard chaplain will be on hand for those in need of assistance. Purdy said that a Coast Guard critical incident stress management team also might be mobilized.
The three, who were traveling in a green 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt, died at the accident scene, Deputy Chris Thornton of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department said Tuesday evening.
The driver of the other vehicle, Stephen S. Glickman, 43, of Orono suffered injuries believed to include a broken ankle and other leg injuries, Thornton said.
Glickman was taken to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, where he was listed in fair condition late Tuesday night, a nursing supervisor confirmed.
The accident happened about 4 p.m., a little more than a mile past the Lucerne Inn, when Carlos Tapia, who was driving south, failed to negotiate a slight curve in the roadway, crossed over the centerline and into the path of Glickman’s blue 2002 Ford pickup.
The cause and contributing factors of the accident remain under investigation, according to a news release issued late Tuesday night by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.
All of the people involved in the accident were wearing seat belts.
Thornton, who is leading the investigation, was assisted at the scene by Chief Deputy Richard Bishop, Deputy Christopher Sargent, Lt. Patrick Kane and Lt. Timothy Cote, all of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, as well as state police Sgt. Alden Bustard.
Also assisting were members of the Dedham and Ellsworth fire departments and Capital Ambulance.
Thornton said the accident was being reconstructed by Kane and state police Trooper Jessica Shorey.
During the investigation, traffic was diverted from the accident scene to Lily Road.
In all cases where there is a fatality, the Maine State Police will conduct an accident reconstruction to determine who they believe was at fault for the accident. In many of these cases, the insurance companies involved will also conduct reconstructions. The evidence gathered will be critical in determining who is entitled to compensation as a result of the accident. It may be necessary to conduct a more detailed investigation than that done by the police and the insurance companies to determine the exact order of events in this case. It is important that witnesses are contacted to discuss their recollection of the events as soon as possible, so that details are not forgotten. Additionally, regardless of fault, this case will also, sadly, involve complicated estate and probate issues. The auto accident specialists at Peter Thompson & Associates have handled thousands of similar claims and recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. We specialize in providing excellent customer service and quick results. For more information, contact Peter Thompson & Associates at 1-800-917-1784 or read more on our website www.Peter-Thompson-Associates.com on our car accident practice page.