The driver of an SUV died after a one-vehicle crash in Kibby Township on Sunday afternoon in which speed and alcohol are believed to have been factors.

Marc Swain, 20, of Canaan, was driving a 1999 Ford Explorer south toward Route 27 in the remote township northwest of Eustis, near the Canadian border, when it rolled over off the road and into trees at around 2 p.m. Sunday, according to a news release from Franklin County Sheriff Scott Nichols.

Swain suffered a head injury and was taken by LifeFlight helicopter to a hospital, but died en route, according to the release.

A passenger, Corey Moorehead, 19, of Mercer, was treated at the scene and released.

The accident was about 1.3 miles from Route 27.

Nichols said in the release that it appeared Swain was driving “at an unsafe speed for the condition of the dirt road and the unsafe condition of the vehicle.”

“Swain lost control and over-corrected when the vehicle began to fishtail, and was completely sideways when the vehicle impacted the several alder trees,” Nichols said.

Nichols said the SUV rolled over, and neither Swain nor Moorehead were wearing seatbelts.

“Speed and alcohol are considered factors in this crash,” he said in the release.

Northstar Ambulance, Eustis Fire and Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the crash.

The Maine Forest Service and U.S. Border Patrol also responded after hearing the radio traffic and assisted, according to the release.

Copy the Story Link