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

55 minutes ago in Local

Home in Wayne Destroyed by Fire

Fresh

The State Fire Marshal’s Office was brought in to assist with the fire investigation.

1 hour ago in Local

Another Maine School District Doubles Down on Transgender Policy Against State Law

Fresh

The RSU 24 school board voted not to rescind its policy Tuesday night and approved engagement with an Augusta law firm.

3 hours ago in Local

New York man accused of illegally growing marijuana in Somerset County pleads guilty

A New York man pleaded guilty on Wednesday to committing mortgage fraud to purchase a home in Somerset County and using it as an illegal marijuana growing operation.

3 hours ago in Local

Gorham elementary school to reopen after gas leak

Narragansett Elementary School in Gorham is set to reopen on Thursday after a gas leak.

5 hours ago in Trending, World

Italian cooking and its rituals get UN designation as world heritage

Italian food is known and loved around the world for its fresh ingredients and palate-pleasing tastes. The U.N.'s cultural agency gave foodies on Wednesday another reason to celebrate their pizza, pasta and tiramisu by listing Italian cooking as part of the world's "intangible" cultural heritage.