Two weekend vehicle collisions in Naples and Bridgton resulted in two deaths, one hospitalization, and one arrest.

On Sunday evening just before 6 p.m., Candace L. Tucker, 34, of Gorham, crashed into a cluster of maple trees as she was driving south on Route 302 in Bridgton near Burnham Road and the Naples town line, according to Bridgton police Chief Kevin Schofield. Tucker’s two passengers – her boyfriend, Eric. S. Morey, 35, and son, Branden Denis, 16, both of Gorham – were killed on impact, Schofield said.

According to Schofield, “excessive speed” was a contributing factor in the crash. Schofield said Tucker was transported to Bridgton Hospital with minor injuries and then transferred to Maine Medical Center in Portland. Bridgton police and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a joint investigation to determine the cause of the crash, and have not determined whether to pursue criminal charges, Schofield said.

According to Lt. Donald Foss of the sheriff’s department, Barbara J. Thorpe, the former director of Raymond Village Library, was involved in three consecutive crashes on Route 302 in Naples late Friday night. Thorpe, the former longtime Raymond Village Library director, was subsequently arrested on charges of drunk driving. No one was injured in any of the crashes, according to Foss.

Thorpe was driving eastbound on Route 302 toward Portland around 10:30 p.m. Friday in a 2011 Toyota Tacoma when the crashes occurred, according to Foss.

First, Thorpe struck a 2009 Dodge Caravan driven by Jessica Leasure-Nelson of Casco on the Naples Causeway bridge, Foss said. According to Foss, Leasure-Nelson was driving westbound with two 14-year-old girls in her car, and swerved to the right side of the lane when she saw Thorpe’s vehicle heading directly toward her. Thorpe “side-swiped” Leasure-Nelson’s car, causing several hundred dollars in damage, Foss said.

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Then, Thorpe collided with a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Sara Bickford of Westbrook, Foss said. After hitting Bickford’s vehicle – which was totaled – Thorpe crashed into a house at the intersection of Route 302 and Songo School Road, Foss said.

“She was actually in the opposing lane when she crashed into the Jeep Grand Cherokee and then skidded back into her own correct lane, but off the road and into the house,” he said.

Thorpe was charged with operating a vehicle under the influence and leaving the scene of a property damage crash. According to Foss, the second charge related specifically to the first crash. Thorpe has posted $200 in bail, according to the Cumberland County Jail.

Thorpe is scheduled to appear in Bridgton District Court on Dec. 26. She could not be reached for comment.

Barbara ThorpeAuthorities say a Casco woman’s vehicle crashed into an occupied house at the intersection of Songo School Road and Route 302 Friday night after colliding with other vehicles. No one was hurt.

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