Child dies after vehicle leaves Route 11, strikes utility pole

A 4-year-old boy from Gray died when the car he was traveling in on Route 11 left the roadway and struck a utility pole. (CCSO Photo)

A 4-year-old boy from Gray died when the car he was traveling in on Route 11 left the roadway and struck a utility pole. (CCSO Photo)

CASCO — A 4-year-old from Gray died Tuesday as the result of a single-vehicle crash on Poland Spring Road in Casco.

At 5:55 a.m., a black 1993 Honda Civic four-door, operated by Michael Minson, 28, of Gray was traveling west on Poland Spring Road (Route 11, .5 miles west of Quaker Ridge Road).

After passing another vehicle, Minson reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which crossed the centerline, left the roadway and struck a Central Maine Power utility pole. Upon impact, the vehicle was split in two, according to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. The impact ejected passenger Cameron Peterson, age 4, from Gray, from the vehicle. Cameron was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said it is unclear if Cameron was in a child safety seat or not.

Passenger Crystal Peterson, 27, also of Gray was transported to Bridgton Hospital and later transferred to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. Her injuries are considered serious, but not life threatening.

Minson was transported to Maine Medical Center with serious injuries.

Casco Fire/Rescue responded to the accident scene, and closed off Route 11.

Sheriff’s deputies were assisted by the Windham Police Reconstruction Team. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

“We believe speed was a factor,” Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce reported to a daily newspaper. “The vehicle had just passed another vehicle traveling north on Route 11. The vehicle that had been passed came round a corner, saw a plume of dust and found this (crashed) vehicle.”