Brownfield woman dies in Route 5 crash in Fryeburg

AT THE SCENE — Police and rescue members respond to the one-vehicle accident on Route 5 Tuesday, which claimed the life of a Brownfield woman, who was the passenger inside the pick-up truck that struck a tree. (Photos courtesy of the Fryeburg Police Department)

AT THE SCENE — Police and rescue members respond to the one-vehicle accident on Route 5 Tuesday, which claimed the life of a Brownfield woman, who was the passenger inside the pick-up truck that struck a tree. (Photos courtesy of the Fryeburg Police Department)

FRYEBURG — A Brownfield woman died Tuesday following a crash on Route 5 in Fryeburg.

Fryeburg Police is investigating the fatal motor vehicle crash, which occurred near Bog Pond Road at 11:13 a.m.

Route 5 was closed for several hours while Fryeburg Police and a State Police Crash Reconstructionist investigated the details of the crash.

Fryeburg Fire, Saco Valley Fire and Fryeburg Rescue Departments utilized extrication equipment to free the two occupants from the vehicle.

Passenger Rhonda Robblee, 47, of Brownfield was pronounced dead at the scene.

The operator, Paul Cundiff, 64, of Porter is in critical condition and was transported to Central Maine Medical Center for treatment.

Cundiff was operating his Silver 2001 GMC Sierra pickup truck southbound on Route 5 in Fryeburg when he lost control of the vehicle and struck a tree. The vehicle has been impounded and is awaiting a vehicle autopsy.

“It appears that operating too fast for the road conditions is a factor in this crash. As routine practice, a blood alcohol sample was PC fryeburg fatality3collected from the operator, however, we have no reason to believe he was impaired at the time of the crash,” Fryeburg Chief of Police Joshua Potvin reported Tuesday afternoon. “This is a tragic event for the family and friends of those involved in this crash. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those involved and we urge motorists to drive with care during this holiday season.”

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