PORTLAND — The 44-year-old driver of a sport utility vehicle in a crash that injured 10 people Sunday was driving with a learner’s permit that he had had for more than a year, according to state records.
Police said Sebastien Bukuru of Westbrook was driving a Ford Explorer east when it suddenly crossed the median on Marginal Way, destroying a road sign, then crossed a lane of traffic and collided with a westbound Jeep Grand Cherokee.
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Police are investigating to determine whether a medical condition contributed to the crash. The Explorer left no skid marks before the collision, indicating that the driver didn’t brake.
Police said speed appears to have played a role in the severity of the crash, which destroyed both vehicles and sent their 10 occupants to the hospital.
Bukuru was issued his learner’s permit on Oct. 21, 2011, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. The permit is valid for two years.
The crash happened about 11 a.m. Sunday in front of 132 Marginal Way. Police shut down the road for four hours while they investigated.
Six people were in the Explorer and four were in the Jeep. Immediately after the crash, two people from the Explorer were reported in critical condition and the four from the Jeep were in serious condition, police said.
On Monday, the driver of the Jeep, Marcelina Dakiti, 35, of Portland, was listed in fair condition at Maine Medical Center.
Two of her passengers, 8-year-old Jayvan Khamis and 5-year-old Marvin Dakiti, were in fair condition Monday afternoon. The other occupant, Jeissey Khamis, 6, was treated and released.
Bukuru was treated at Maine Medical Center and released Sunday.
One of his passengers, Clarisse Uwimana, 39, was in fair condition Monday. Information was not available on Clemence Nyinawumuntu, 34, or Penine Nduwayo, 41.
Two younger passengers, Joshua Irasubiza, 12, and Pamela Ishimwe, 15, were treated and released from Maine Medical Center.
No charges had been brought in the case Monday.
Staff Writer David Hench can be contacted at 791-6327 or at:
dhench@pressherald.com
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