BELGRADE — A Florida man was killed in a two-car crash outside the Belgrade Community Center for All Seasons late Friday.

Rescue crews told WMTW-TV that Eldred Gifford, 81, of Zephyrhills, Fla., was pulling onto Augusta Road from Center Drive and failed to yield to Thomas Bell, 59, of Farmington.

Kennebec County sheriff’s deputies said the crash happened at about 9:10 p.m. Friday when Bell’s truck knocked Gifford’s car off the roadway. Paramedics said both occupants in Bell’s truck were taken to Central Maine Medical Center with chest and head injuries.

Doctors said Gifford was taken to Inland Hospital, where he succumbed to a heart attack.

Deputies said at least six people witnessed the crash and told investigators Gifford entered traffic without yielding.

Investigators said they believe the crash was caused by driver inattention.


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