A woman was tragically killed on Thursday when a tree limb crashed through her windshield as she was driving in Corinth with two minors in her car.
[RELATED: Three Injured in Four-Vehicle Crash on Washington Avenue in Portland…]
At approximately 1:15 p.m., the Penobscot Regional Communications Center received a report of a serious crash on Route 15 in Corinth.
Penobscot Sheriff’s Department deputies responded along with the Corinth Fire Department and emergency medical services.
The crash took place during a heavy rainstorm with high winds.
Based on a preliminary investigation, deputies believe that the small sedan was traveling northbound on Route 15 when a large tree broke apart due to the storm.
A large tree limb then fell directly on the car passing below, going through the windshield and striking the female driver, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
A juvenile passenger in the front passenger seat sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
A younger child was in the back seat but was not injured.
The falling tree limb also destroyed power lines, which created additional hazards and complicated the emergency response significantly.
A passing driver witnessed the crash and took unspecified decisive action to stop the vehicle from continuing in an attempt to protect the surviving passengers.
The Penobscot Sheriff’s Department said that driver’s selflessness and quick thinking may have prevented further injuries to the juvenile passengers.
