News

Monmouth Police Lt. in Critical Condition After Crash

Image from Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office


A Monmouth police lieutenant is in critical condition after being involved in a head-on crash in Turner Monday evening.

Two people in the other vehicle were injured in the crash and were taken to a local hospital while the Monmouth police lieutenant, 52-year-old Dana Wessling, was flown to Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Lieutenant Wessling’s seven-year-old son was a passenger in his police cruiser and only received minor injuries.

Police say the other vehicle crossed the center, leading to the head-on crash, which took place at about 4:50 pm Monday at the intersection of Turner Center Road and Bradford Road in Turner.

The Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office says a silver 2013 Ford F150 pickup truck driven by 41-year-old Sean McNeil of Minot came around a curve and crossed the centerline and was in Wessling’s lane when the two vehicles crashed. Both vehicles sustained extensive front-end damage and are considered to be totaled.

McNeil and his passenger, a 47-year-old female from Turner, were both transported by Turner and Buckfield Rescue to Central Maine Medical Center with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Wessling had to be extricated from his police cruiser before being flown to Portland. A GoFundMe page in support of Lieutenant Wessling’s family said if he makes a full recovery, “it’ll be a miracle.”

He was on his way home at the end of his shift and had just picked up his son at daycare when the crash occurred.

Latest Headlines

4 hours ago in Local

Maine’s King Among Senators to Break Shutdown Deadlock

The Senate voted 60-40 to move toward passing compromise legislation to fund the government

4 hours ago in Local

Mills Slams Trump Administration’s Move to Block SNAP Benefits

Mills made the statement Sunday after the Supreme Court late Friday temporarily blocked a lower court’s order for SNAP funding to be distributed.

9 hours ago in Local

Wells Police Investigate Rash of Overnight Vehicle Burglaries

Police are asking Wells residents and businesses in the area to review any available video footage.

9 hours ago in Local

Dixfield Sawmill Heavily Damaged by Fire

The Maine Fire Marshal's Office assisted with the investigation.

17 hours ago in Local

Democratic senate candidate Graham Platner hires new manager to run campaign

Deputy Director of the Maine People’s Alliance Ben Chin has been hired to replace Platner's short-lived campaign director Kevin Brown.