Two people were tragically killed in a rollover accident that occurred on I-95 in Island Falls. The accident happened on Monday, August 10, 2020, around 3:30 pm.
According to police, Colleen Collins, 35, of Presque Isle, was driving north on I-95 in Island Falls. 62-year-old Mary Michaud and 42-year-old Keith Michaud were both passengers in the sport utility vehicle that Collins was driving.
Police say that Collins lost control of the SUV and veered into a ditch. The vehicle stopped in the trees and then caught fire.
Both Collins and Mary Michaud were pronounced dead at the accident scene. Keith Michaud was taken to the Houlton Regional Hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The extent of the accident damage has made it difficult for investigators to determine the make and model of the vehicle and if the occupants were wearing their seat belts.
A motorist passing by called 911 to report the accident, telling operators the car went off the road and had people trapped inside.
Wrongful Death Attorneys in Your Corner
Our thoughts go out to the families involved in this tragic accident, and we hope Mr. Michaud makes a full recovery.
Determining what caused this vehicle to go off the road in the first place will be crucial in establishing whether the individuals involved are able to pursue legal claims. If the crash was caused by operator error, then the passengers may have claims against the driver. If the crash was caused by a malfunction or defect in the vehicle, then all three individuals involved may have claims. A thorough investigation will be key in answering these preliminary questions.
For the families that lost a loved one, it will be important that they have an experienced attorney familiar with wrongful death claims to help them navigate the legal process. In a wrongful death claim, everything from the statute of limitation (the deadline before which a claim must be brought in the court system), the damages that can be sought, and the identity of the proper parties is different than a normal traffic accident case.
Our experienced lawyers Shaheen & Gordon, P.A., are dedicated to helping clients throughout New Hampshire and Maine pursue car accident and wrongful death claims. Call (888) 801-9916 to set up a case consultation if you need legal assistance regarding a deadly car accident.
