Teen who survived crash hurt in another collision
Kevin Grondin of Scarborough was injured last month in a prom night crash that killed his best friend.
By Trevor Maxwell tmaxwell@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer
A Scarborough teenager who was seriously injured in a car crash that killed his best friend last month was shaken up in a head-on collision Monday on Route 1.
Kevin Grondin, 19, was driving a 1996 Chevrolet pickup truck that crossed the centerline of the road around 9 a.m. and collided with a tanker truck, police said. The driver of the tanker, Ryan Dube, 20, of Sidney, suffered a minor back injury.
Grondin was taken to a Portland hospital and released within a few hours to go home with his family.
In just the past few weeks, Grondin had emerged from a coma caused by the crash that killed 18-year-old Steven Delano on May 8. The two teenagers and their dates were going to the Gorham High School prom when their car collided with a tanker truck on Payne Road. Delano, the driver of the Pontiac G6, was the only person who was killed.
Grondin graduated from Scarborough High School in January and was preparing to enlist in the military. Because of the injuries he suffered in the crash in May, he was under the supervision of his family and was not supposed to be driving.
"They took their eyes off him for a few minutes, and he went out in the truck," said Patricia Conant, the high school principal. "His parents are obviously thrilled that he is OK, but horrified that it happened."
Attempts to reach Grondin's parents were unsuccessful Monday.
Scarborough Police Officer Andrew Flynn said he had not spoken with Grondin as of Monday afternoon, and police were not sure what caused Grondin to cross the centerline and hit the oncoming tanker truck in a 50 mph zone. He said speed apparently was not a factor, and there were no indications that alcohol or drugs played any role.
"I know he had some medical problems related to the prom night crash," Flynn said. "We're not exactly sure if those contributed to this accident or not."
Flynn said he was surprised that Grondin was not badly hurt, given the major damage to the front of the pickup truck. Grondin was wearing his seat belt when he crashed, the officer said.
"He is very lucky. This was a very serious accident," Flynn said.
Conant said she learned about the crash Monday morning during marching practice for members of the senior class, who will graduate Sunday night at the Cumberland County Civic Center.
After informing the students, Conant went to the hospital and met with Grondin's family.
"Thank God for the seat belt and the airbag," Conant said. She sent out an e-mail and made an announcement over the school intercom system later Monday, letting students and teachers know that Grondin was all right.
Conant visited Grondin on May 27, the day he was transferred from Maine Medical Center to the New England Rehab Hospital in Portland. He was able to speak and make a few jokes with the principal, but he was clearly still impaired by his injuries, she said.
Conant said she was not sure if he was aware at that point that his best friend, Delano, had been killed. Conant said she also was not sure when Grondin was discharged from the rehab hospital.
The school expected Grondin to participate in graduation Sunday, Conant said. He was also expected to take part in a baccalaureate service Wednesday night at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, arranged by the Scarborough Ecumenical Council.
Conant said she was not sure whether Monday's crash would affect those plans.
Staff Writer Trevor Maxwell can be contacted at 791-6451 or at: tmaxwell@pressherald.com
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49 COMMENTS
HM2 said...
Someone with responsibility must take this persons keys...immediately.
June 8, 2010 at 5:37 AM Report abuse
jake007 said...
phew,not good!
June 8, 2010 at 6:18 AM Report abuse
mutt said...
Omg just when I think the posters here reach a new low u out do yourselves. Darwnism is alive alright and the weak and dimwtted can be found right here. My gog the kid is19 just lost his best friend and all u got is snide hurtful comments!!?? Ur mothers must be ashamed of u.
June 8, 2010 at 6:26 AM Report abuse
420Revarie said...
Head injury ya think? Friends and family really need to keep an eye on this kid and get some education on Post Traumatic Head Injury.Impulsive act? Probably. Suicide mission, probably not.
June 8, 2010 at 6:33 AM Report abuse
Pamela057 said...
I'm sorry but this poor kids needs some counseling before something does happen to him...God is watching out for him for sure.
June 8, 2010 at 6:59 AM Report abuse
mdb13 said...
If it was a suicide attempt, he wouldn't have been wearing a seatbelt, and he would have been speeding.
June 8, 2010 at 7:16 AM Report abuse
Markus said...
What happened in his last crash? This paper does a very poor job writing the facts, reporting & very little is heard about the follow up. They made it sound like the trucker was at fault, even though the state police had yet to release thier findings of the investigation they did.Lucky kid, 3rd times a charm, he might not be so lucky.
June 8, 2010 at 7:27 AM Report abuse
CC17 said...
You all need to lay off Kevin. Could you be any more insensitive!? This poor boy just lost his best friend and now all people who know NOTHING about what happened are being awful towards him. Leave him alone to heal. How could you be that cruel towards someone who was put through something as terrible as what happened to him?
June 8, 2010 at 8:14 AM Report abuse
Really said...
Oh that poor innocent, troubled boy that none of us understand. I think his parents, that were supposed to be watching him, need to be slapped. Makes me wonder what happened last month.....any correlation between this accident and the one that killed his friends?
June 8, 2010 at 8:38 AM Report abuse
SL said...
OK so you folks insist on calling this kid a punk, a moron, a coward and a dimwit. At 19 how would you have handled driving to the prom with your best friend and next thing you know their crushed lifeless body is lieing in your lap wile you wait to be cut from the car you were riding in? None of you can answer that because you didn't have it happen to you. I have seen some low comments on these boards but none quite this bad. Anyone ever think he is in his own personal hell right now and maybe doesn't know how to handle it? Hey, maybe this was an accident, maybe it wasn't.
June 8, 2010 at 8:46 AM Report abuse
mallen299 said...
Why don't some of you teenage behavioral scientists, cranial trauma experts, psychoanalysts, and traumatic stress experts read the article? He WAS under supervision by parents. "They took their eyes off him for a moment and he took the truck." Who, other than the incredible brain trust on this blog mentioned suicide? Momentary lapses of attention cause center line crossings every day. Previous head trauma can cause loss of equilibrium and do the same. Only he knows what happened. You kids need to tend to your business and stop making uneducated and hurtful comments. Don't you have homework? Spend your energy wishing for full and speedy recoveries for BOTH drivers and stop pretending to be Dr. Phil and the entire Maine Med Trauma Unit!
June 8, 2010 at 8:54 AM Report abuse
Dino90000000 said...
He may need to go back to rehab until he is much more with-it.
June 8, 2010 at 9:29 AM Report abuse
Iwatch said...
Perhaps so soon after coming out of coma, this fellow is not ready for operating a motor vehicle. Is he now subject to seizure? Lots to look at here. It goes without saying, he should NOT be allowed to drive until all facets are explored.
June 8, 2010 at 9:40 AM Report abuse
singer said...
Take his license away before he kills some innocent person. I feel sorry for the guy that he hit. How come the principal had to be the one to tell us that his parents took their eyes off him for just a minute?
June 8, 2010 at 9:42 AM Report abuse
KAT19 said...
Thank you mallen299, SL, CC17 & others for your supportive comments. As for the rest of you, you're clueless & you need to just keep quiet. For starters, Kevin was not the driver of the vehicle in the crash last month; he was a passenger. This kid was not on a suicide mission, & he's not a punk or a moron, nor are his parents irresponsible! His parents have rarely left his side in the last 31 days; someone is always w/ him. His mother was in the bathroom when he left in his truck. It's OK for her to go to the bathroom or take a shower isn't it? You people need to get a grip! Perhaps you should volunteer to help this family rather than condemn them, as they are obviously going through a difficult time. Be thankful it's not your family going through this!
June 8, 2010 at 9:42 AM Report abuse
VGhldW5jbGU%3D said...
This is a situation where people are too quick to jump to negative assumptions. No one can make any comment about things that happen if you don't know the facts. The truth is that Kevin and his mother were going out together and she left the room for a moment and for some reason Kevin decided to go by himself. This was not a suicide attempt, but a young man who probably can't realize that his judgment is still somewhat impaired. People should not make comments when you haven't walked in the same shoes. It's sad that many people don't have better things to do with their time than criticize people. Until you have walked in someone's shoes, keep bad thoughts to yourself and just offer compassion and support to Kevin and his parents while he is trying to cope with the devastation in his life. Shame on people who can't give positive feedback and give his family the support they need. They have suffered enough truama and tradegy and don't need this garbage from ignorant people.
June 8, 2010 at 9:45 AM Report abuse
Mindreader said...
so apparently all you people are perfect and have never made a bad decision.
June 8, 2010 at 9:47 AM Report abuse
NH said...
"This poor boy just lost his best friend and now all people...are being awful towards him...How could you be that cruel towards someone ...put through something as terrible as what happened to him" How about what he's just done to someone else? He caused someone else to be involved in an accident that wasn't their fault. He could have injured or killed them. There's no guarantee the truck driver hasn't injured his back or neck - those things tend to come up days after the accident. Instead of feeling sorry for the person who CAUSED the accident, you might want to try mustering up a little sympathy for the innocent driver he hit. This kid could have KILLED somebody!
June 8, 2010 at 9:49 AM Report abuse
mainerunr said...
According to the radio report, the driver of the truck did have a back injury. This kid flat out made a poor decision. What if he had hit a small car and killed someone? Sure, he's gone through a lot but that does not excuse the fact that he drove when he shouldnt. Some of you are part of what is wrong with society today doing nothing but making excuses for him. recent tragedy or not, he still needs to be held responsible for his decisions.
June 8, 2010 at 10:23 AM Report abuse
KAT19 said...
I don't think anyone is saying that this wasn't serious, or that people shouldn't think about the driver of the tractor trailer truck. The point being made is that this kid is still dealing w/ injuries from the 1st accident & did not realize that it was bad judgement, because he's not capable of making that distinction right now. Can't you people read?! I think we all have sympathy for the truck driver, but to condemn Kevin & his parents doesn't help. His parents were doing what they were supposed to do. If we were talking about your average, every day, run-of-the-mill teenager who was just being wreckless, the comments still wouldn't be appropriate, however people could understand the anger or frustration directed at him & his parents. We're not though; we're talking about a kid who is still dealing w/ injuries from the 1st accident, injuries that are obviously imapiring his judgement & some of you need to put yourself in his shoes. Again, be thankful it's not you & your family.
June 8, 2010 at 10:48 AM Report abuse
mainerunr said...
I think thats what people ARE worried about, that his poor judgement will cause harm to their family. The article even says he shouldnt be driving and they know that. If they know he is not capable of making good decisions right now, why not keep the keys with you so he cant just take the truck. If it had been my family that he hit, I'd be livid at the excuses that are being made for him. Poor him poor him, yeah, and what if he kills someone next time he makes a bad decision because he isnt capable of exercising good judgement? You will still be making excuses for him but that doesnt change the outcome.
June 8, 2010 at 10:56 AM Report abuse
Z2VydDE5MDU%3D said...
There may be a number of variables at work here. Yes, he may be suffering from post traumtic stress and absolutely should be in counseling NOW! He may have suffered an injury which resulted in a lack of impulse control. His Mother may have gone to the bathroom (and yes, that's OK) BUT she (and any other responsible adult) should keep car keys and any other potentially dangerous items out of this boy's reach every minute of every day. As reported in this article a person was injured in this latest accident. Keep this boy and others safe by tightly restricting his movements. If you have to treat him like a toddler right now, so be it. He might not have the judgement to keep himself safe so others will have to step up.
June 8, 2010 at 11:01 AM Report abuse
Tall said...
He still needs supervision. That should have included taking the keys and locking them up or keeping them on your person at all times. His family should wake up and take more responsibility here. This makes me wonder how many other times they took their eyes off him for just a second. Now we have a poor guy with a back injury who is trying to make a living. I certainly hope he is forgiving for that families sake, but something tells me he won't be...can't say as I blame him.
June 8, 2010 at 11:13 AM Report abuse
mallen299 said...
Kat, when dealing with some of the folks on this board, you have to use a rule I learned long ago. "Never argue with an idiot, people listening may not be able to tell who is who". Many prefer to spew their mental rubbish than worry about another person's plight.
June 8, 2010 at 11:21 AM Report abuse
OldandWise said...
Tanker truck....again? Sounds like this wasn't exactly an unavoidable accident....suicide mission is, sadly, a more logical explanation. Disable the truck immediately so he cannot do this again when another family member isn't driving it!!!
June 8, 2010 at 11:38 AM Report abuse
smarty said...
As many people have said before - "Don't feed the trolls!"
June 8, 2010 at 11:45 AM Report abuse
mutt said...
Man the mutts are out drooling all over this poor kid.Ya know what stinks about all u self righteous bloviating hacks? U have no lives so u can't possibly relate to someone living theirs. So u relate to TV where u spend wayyyy too much time. The crap that has been specualated about this kid is outrageous. Have at Obama he is fair game leave this kid and his family alone. Ya MUTTS
June 8, 2010 at 12:03 PM Report abuse
august1 said...
KAT, You are spot on! Don't listen to the idiots that post on here. People have no clue as to what the families are going thru. I hope they never go thru what the families have gone thru.
June 8, 2010 at 12:17 PM Report abuse
smitty1967 said...
So if he hit a small car with 3-4 young adults in it and killed one or more...it wouldn't be a big deal???? Sorry, that's what I'm getting from the "Supporters". There was an enormous and unnecessary potential for the tragedy that just recently struck him, and his friend to happen to someone else. It's ok though...because he's young and emotional. Catch a clue you morons...really!!!!
June 8, 2010 at 12:19 PM Report abuse
august1 said...
My last post to Lady (I use that loosely), I do see where he is still under a doctors care, I read an earlier article that had nothing about him being under a doc's care
June 8, 2010 at 12:23 PM Report abuse
august1 said...
Smitty, You need to get a clue, I don't think anyone is saying that what he did was OK, what we are saying is, he is obviously under a doctors care and his mother left him alone to go to the restroom and he left. And for some of you who say to put the keys where he won't find them, how many of you have another set, I leave one in a magnet holder on my car, maybe he had one to.
June 8, 2010 at 12:25 PM Report abuse
jude said...
Afghanistan would be safer for this kid.
June 8, 2010 at 12:42 PM Report abuse
null said...
I have a best friend that had a tramatic brain injury over six months ago and is still in rehab. hers was not from and accident but an aneurysm, but they still consider it tramatic. Maybe Kevin should have rehabed more, but all I know is he prob. does not even recall getting into his truck as people with head injuris lose their short term for a while. What people need to do is read about brain injuries to better understand them to know what this kid is going through. Not only is he recovering from both accidents, I am sure he is starting to get post tramatic syndrome and nightmares as he is starting to remember the events of prom night. It will take years and support from family and friends. I am sure his family has been in contact with the other driver to see how he is doing, I am sure they would not have been that cold. Its a situraton I am sure note of was ever want to encounter with our children, but if so, hopefully their will be compasionate people out there.
June 8, 2010 at 1:09 PM Report abuse
Maclyra said...
Time to buy a lottery ticket!! Hope he wasn't hurt. That's a lot of bad luck for one kid. How come stuff like this never happens to Glen Beck?
June 8, 2010 at 1:11 PM Report abuse
Pilllory said...
For those who never dealt with someone who has a head injury and are running down this kid and his family you should be ASHAMED of yourselves. Yes, it was lucky he hit a truck and not a small car. Yes, it was lucky he didn't kill himself in the process. Hopefully his insurance will cover it. His family (whom I do not know) are obviously stressed w the load of trying to care for a young active brain injured family member at home, something I'm sure they've not had any training with but are certianly gaining experience in. Unless YOU personally have had to deal with that situation in your own life you have no idea what a full-time caregiver has to go through so derogatory comments directed at the young man or his family are completely out of line. It is very likely his family's resources are stretched to the breaking point already from a previous accident that HE DIDN'T cause. The judgemental onesposting here need to do volunteer work at a head injury center so they can GET A CLUE.
June 8, 2010 at 1:15 PM Report abuse
smitty1967 said...
Pillory...what brain clinic to you rehab at...I'll drop by sometime and give you a hand! Seriously...I don't really care!!! I'll admit it...I lack compassion. But when I saw all of the accusations and backlash towards the trucker in the 1st accident (I believe there's still no official ruling on fault) and then see the sympathetic BS for this kid, it irritates me. God forbid that somebody actually be held responsible for his/her own actions any more. Like I said...don't care...this was a similar tragedy that was by chance averted.
June 8, 2010 at 1:36 PM Report abuse
null said...
Pillory, it's much more enjoyable to bash on the posts rather than volunteer and get a clue.....
June 8, 2010 at 1:36 PM Report abuse
mutt said...
Mainrunr please do tell what Darwin's theory is? I can't wait to hear what ur ill informed uneducated understanding of it is. Please 3 words or less I don't want you going an cutting and pasting something online and passing it off as your own. Probably how you got a s far as you didi in school what was that about 5th grade??
June 8, 2010 at 1:37 PM Report abuse
null said...
Well put Pillory. Brain injuries are a fascinating topic so to speak even though no one wants one. You don't know how it changes a person from how they were before. Very Sad. usually it entails months of rehab if one survives. my friend has been through two brain surgeries and ligament surgery in her foot due to her injuries. she is 42, and her mother has had to put her life on hold to visit her at rehab, take her to appointments and she will be going home to live with her mom until she is fully able to go back to her apartment. peolpe need to understand just because he was in the hosp. for a short time, does not mean the brain is heald.
June 8, 2010 at 1:40 PM Report abuse
Portcitylive said...
There is no question that the first accident was sad and this kid needs time to heal. The second accident is inexcusable, The young man and his family were well aware that he should not be driving. If this young man had hit a school bus full of children then alot more people would have been affected. I hope the keys to all the other family vehicles are safely secured now.
June 8, 2010 at 1:59 PM Report abuse
mainerunr said...
wow mutt, awesome insult there. yeah, I am so unedumacated, i r just a dum hik. but maybe you are right, this really is not a case of Darwin's theory (natural selection) FWIW, insulting someone's intelligence is a slippery slope, you never know who you are really dealing with online now do you? sadly, if this kids parents do not keep a shorter leash on him, someone else may get killed or seriously injured. The responsiblity here lies with him (and if he is incapable of making good decisions then the responsibility lies with those charged with caring for him). End of story. While some of you are busy making excuses for him and his family, I'll hope for a speedy recovery for both him and the young man that he injured.
June 8, 2010 at 2:14 PM Report abuse
marinegal said...
First, Grondin wasn't driving the night of the prom. Second, highly doubt this was a suicide. Suicidal people aren't going to wear a seatbelt and they will suddenly turn into something, bridge abutment, large vehicle, etc... and at a high rate of speed. Third, we do not know why he crossed the centerline. It could have been any one of us that crossed the centerline and into a vehicle. I'm sure everyone here is a perfect driver, never speeds and never talks on their cell phones, eat, correct their children. The list could go on and on. I would hardly call this boy a menace. Again, I do suspect he should have waited to be cleared by a doctor before driving. Head injuries are unpredictable. I’m sure at some point we’ve all wanted to go for a drive to “clear our head.” Have some sympathy…
June 8, 2010 at 2:17 PM Report abuse
august1 said...
Boy, a lot of you are saying "what if", do most of you stay in and not leave your homes b/c "what if" someone runs you down or "what if" you get struck by lightning. "What if" is NO way to live people.
June 8, 2010 at 2:22 PM Report abuse
Pilllory said...
smitty1967 said... Dude the only thing I know about the first accident is that this kid WASN'T the driver. I don't know who was at fault, the trucker or his dead friend...either or that is irrelevant here. THIS young man has a brain injury, and likely does NOT understand what he was doing or his own limitations that DOES warrant some compassion as does his family. I'm sure his family is doubly sick about this latest tragedy. A brain injury devastates many lives not just the one who bears it. IF charges are brought against this young man it is likely he would be found incompetent thus NOT RESPONSIBLE for his actions by "mental defect". When your head injury comes remember what you said about others.....
June 8, 2010 at 2:55 PM Report abuse
c2hpcG1hdGU%3D said...
So many of you are so quick to judge! You don't know all the circumstances, and you surely don't know what this kid and his family have gone through. Give it a rest.
June 8, 2010 at 4:06 PM Report abuse
XPortlander said...
Count your blessings this is not your child
June 8, 2010 at 5:29 PM Report abuse
FredTaylor said...
I see the buffoons are out in full force on this one. Leave the kid alone. Its clown school around here. Bring your shoes.
June 8, 2010 at 5:35 PM Report abuse
stinkyspot said...
Anyone remember compassion? Even if someone does something wrong, if bad becomes of it some compassion is not a bad thing. Sure, consequences, responsibility and all of that good stuff but a smattering of compassion every now and again is not going to kill you.
June 9, 2010 at 8:38 AM Report abuse
jessie said...
It shames me to actually live near all of these individuals who have commented on this 2ND tragedy. The death of Stevie Delano was tragic and hurtful to all of us who loved him, including his best friend. I can't imagine what this boy went thru and continues to go thru everyday and the rest of his life. How can you people judge this indivual and his family when you don't know ANY of the circumstances except for what you read from the media. Remeber the saying... if you can't say anything nice, dont' say anything at all! I'm all for the 1st amendment but you people are ridiculous and sad. My apologies to BOTH families for ignorant, quite frankly, stupid people who have nothing better to do than be on-line commenting about others. RIP Stevie - all my prayers Kevin :)
June 9, 2010 at 11:51 AM Report abuse