Woman Seriously Injured in OUI Head-On Collision
According to a recent article, a violent head-on crash on Route 1 in Woolwich, Maine, left a 71-year-old woman with serious injuries Sunday evening. Police say the other driver, a 33-year-old man from Biddeford, was impaired behind the wheel and charged with an OUI.
Crash Details
The collision happened shortly after 6 p.m. near the southern entrance to Weston Road. According to the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office, a Ford F-150 pickup traveling south crossed the center line and slammed into a Toyota 4Runner heading north.
The impact crushed both vehicles. The Toyota spun out and stopped in the southbound breakdown lane. The Ford careened off the road.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene and found an older woman trapped inside the 4Runner. Firefighters used hydraulic tools to free her. Paramedics then called LifeFlight of Maine, which airlifted Webster to Maine Medical Center in Portland with serious injuries.
The pickup driver suffered minor injuries. He was taken to Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick and later released into police custody.
Driver Faces Aggravated OUI Charge
Deputies arrested the pickup driver for aggravated operating under the influence (OUI) causing serious bodily injury. He remains at Two Bridges Regional Jail on $10,000 cash bail and is scheduled to appear in court later this week.
Investigators believe the driver crossed into the wrong lane because of alcohol impairment. The crash remains under investigation.
Route 1 Closed for Three Hours
Police closed a stretch of Route 1 for more than three hours to clear debris and reconstruct the crash. Traffic resumed around 9:30 p.m. Deputies interviewed witnesses and collected evidence from both vehicles as part of their ongoing investigation.
Alcohol-Related Crashes Continue to Plague Maine Roads
The Woolwich crash adds to Maine’s growing list of alcohol-related collisions. Despite tough laws and awareness campaigns, drunk driving remains one of the state’s top causes of serious and fatal crashes.
According to the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety, roughly one-third of all fatal crashes involve impaired drivers. Each year, dozens of families lose loved ones because someone chose to drink and drive.
When alcohol affects judgment and reaction time, even a moment’s lapse can lead to disaster. On a busy two-lane highway like Route 1, that mistake can change lives in seconds.
Legal Rights After an OUI Crash
Victims of drunk driving crashes can pursue personal injury claims to recover damages for their losses. Compensation may include:
- Medical bills and rehabilitation costs
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Long-term care or permanent disability
- Property damage
When impaired drivers cause serious harm, courts can also impose punitive damages to punish extreme negligence and deter future misconduct.
In some cases, Maine’s dram shop laws allow victims to hold bars, restaurants, or other establishments liable if they overserved a visibly intoxicated person who later caused a crash. These cases require detailed investigation into receipts, witness statements, and surveillance footage — something an experienced attorney can handle.
Preventing Tragedies on Maine Highways
Police and safety advocates continue urging Mainers to make responsible choices. Never drive after drinking, and never let a friend or family member get behind the wheel while impaired.
Law enforcement agencies across Maine have stepped up sobriety checkpoints and OUI patrols, particularly on weekends and holidays. Even with these efforts, public cooperation remains the strongest defense against drunk driving.
Each crash like this one in Woolwich is a painful reminder that impaired driving is 100% preventable.
A Community Impacted
Neighbors and first responders described the crash as one of the worst they’ve seen in recent months. Many in the Midcoast community have expressed support for Webster and her family as she recovers at Maine Medical Center.
The Sheriff’s Office continues to review physical evidence and toxicology results. Additional charges may follow once the investigation concludes.
Justice for Maine OUI Victims
At Peter Thompson & Associates, we have represented countless victims of drunk and impaired drivers throughout Maine. We understand the devastation these crashes cause — from hospital bills to lifelong physical pain and emotional trauma.
Our attorneys conduct thorough investigations to determine all liable parties, including reckless drivers, trucking companies, or establishments that overserve alcohol. We negotiate aggressively with insurance companies and take cases to trial when necessary.
If you or someone you love has been injured by an impaired driver, don’t face the aftermath alone. You have legal rights — and our team can help protect them.
Call Peter Thompson & Associates today for a free consultation. We’ll listen to your story, explain your options, and fight to recover the compensation and justice your family deserves.