Loren Keim, 21, was killed after the car he was driving, a 1997 Ford Ranger, slid across the intersection and struck a tractor-trailer truck, according to a press release from Sgt. Matthew Brann of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
Franklin County Communications received a 911 call about the crash at 6:57 a.m. Saturday.
The 2011 Peterbilt trailer was driven by Richard Giles, 61, of Jay and was transporting a Poland Spring tanker, which was empty at the time of the crash.
Brann said Giles was driving north on Route 4 in the passing lane portion of the road because the right lane had not been treated for snow.
Keim, the son of state Sen. Lisa Keim, was driving toward Phillips on Weld Road. Keim’s vehicle struck the axles on the trailer, causing catastrophic damage to his vehicle, according to authorities.
Keim was initially transported to Franklin Memorial Hospital and was then flown to Central Maine Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries, according to police.
“It’s just a terrible accident,” Sheriff Scott Nichols said. “The roads were terribly slippery.”
Snow covered the road at the time of the crash, making conditions slippery.
Keim graduated from Dirigo High School in 2013, where he played soccer and tennis. He just started his last semester of college at University of Maine in Orono.
Nichols said no charges will be filed.
The tractor-trailer truck owned by Darrell Tibbets of Livermore sustained no damage and was driven from the scene.
Deputy Brain McCormick, the lead investigator of the crash, was assisted at the scene by Lt. David Rackliffe, Brann and Deputy Andrew Morgan.
Sgt. Kevin Hartley is conducting a forensic mapping.
State Police Cpl. Derrick Record and trooper Joe Parker from commercial enforcement inspected the truck.
Phillips Fire Department, Farmington Fire Department and Northstar Ambulance assisted at the scene.
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