DRESDEN, Maine — Editor's Note: The video above aired Sept. 2, 2024.
A Portland man died and four others sustained internal injuries in a crash that shut down Route 27 in Dresden on Monday.
The crash happened around 2:30 p.m., the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office said Thursday in a press release.
Deputies responded to the area and found a three-vehicle collision near where the road intersects with Carriage Court.
Officials' initial investigation showed that a 2016 Kia Rio driven by Andrew Coombs, 33, of Portland, was traveling south when it crossed into the northbound lane, the release stated.
The Kia then struck two northbound vehicles. The first was a 2018 Hyundai SUV driven by Brad Reed, 41, of Auburn, and the second was a 2023 Infinity QX55 driven by Megan Higgins, 43, of Augusta, with two kids ages 10 and 11 also in the vehicle, according to the release.
After being struck by Coombs' vehicle, the other two vehicles rolled onto their roofs on the northbound shoulder. Coombs' vehicle came to rest in the southbound lane.
Coombs died at the scene, the sheriff's office said. Reed, Higgins, and the two children traveling with Higgins were taken to Maine Medical Center with internal injuries, according to officials.
The sheriff's office said all the people involved in the crash were wearing seatbelts, and air bags deployed in all vehicles.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation. The sheriff's office said the vehicle being driven by Coombs had been reported for erratic operation just prior to the collision. Deputies were headed to the area to search for the vehicle when the crash happened, according to the release.
Route 27 reopened shortly after 6:30 p.m. Monday.
The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and Brunswick Police Department are investigating the crash. The sheriff's office said anyone who may have information should contact Lt. Brendan Cane or Deputy Samuel Alexander at 207-882-7332 or bkane@lincolnso.me.