Police seek witnesses
to crash that killed three
WESTBROOK — Westbrook police are asking individuals to come forward with any information they may have about a fatal accident that took place early Monday morning.
Three people died following the two-vehicle crash, which took place on Route 22/County Road near the Westbrook-Scarborough line around 6:50 a.m. March 11.
Police reached out to the public Wednesday about connecting with an individual who was captured in a photo taken shortly after the accident happened.
“The male subject seen in the photo from the fatal crash has come forward and was interviewed by investigators. The male did not see the accident happen. He stopped to check on the occupants of the vehicles after happening upon the crash scene,” Westbrook Police Captain Sean Lally wrote in a press release. “He does not wish to have his name released to the media and we will not name him at this time.”
Hassan Idris Ali, 39, of Lewiston was heading toward Scarborough when he lost control of the 2009 Toyota Camry he was driving, crossed the center line and collided with a 2014 Nissan pickup truck driven by Lisa Libby, 60, of Hollis.
Pronounced dead at the scene were Ali, as well as his passengers Gregory E. Harriman, 50 of Sebago and Joshua R. Stone, 33, of Gorham. The Camry was a taxi for Orange Taxi and Transportation Service of Portland.
Libby was transported to Maine Medical Center to be treated for a collapsed lung and rib fractures she sustained in the vehicle. Her condition was reported as satisfactory Tuesday.
Black ice and speeding may have contributed to the fatal accident – a city plow with sand was on its way when the accident occured – but Westbrook police said “the cause of accident is under investigation and the results of the accident reconstruction will not be complete for weeks.”
Witnesses should call Westbrook Police Officer Brian Grasser at 854-644 ext. 2511.
Detroit Lions cut
Bates from team
The Detroit Lions announced on Twitter Monday that they have released linebacker Trevor Bates.
A Westbrook High School player and former University of Maine star, Bates pleaded not guilty last Friday to five charges stemming from an incident on Jan. 26 in which he allegedly assaulted a New York City police officer.
Bates, 25, was indicted in February on felony counts of second-and third-degree assault, along with obstructing government administration, theft of services and resisting arrest. He was released on bail and is due back in court on June 3.
If convicted, Bates faces up to seven years in prison.
Bates was originally drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round of the 2016 draft after a stellar career at UMaine. He was released by the Colts later that season and signed with the New England Patriots to their practice squad, earning a Super Bowl ring.
After being released by New England the following September, Bates had a brief stay with the New York Giants. He signed with Detroit in May, 2018.
‘Big Nate’ creator
coming to school
WESTBROOK — Children’s book author and syndicated cartoonist Lincoln Peirce will visit Westbrook Middle School April 2 to talk to the more than 800 students about his “Big Nate” books and comic strip and his latest book, “Max & the Midknights.”
The school’s PTO raised money for several of Peirce’s books to be raffled and signed by the author following his visit with students.
Peirce, a Portland resident, is the creator of “Big Nate,” a comic he started in 1991 that can be seen daily in the Portland Press Herald and other newspapers across the country. The comic strip has spawned a children’s book series, activity books, comic compilations and a musical. Peirce’s “Max & the Midknights,” released in January, tells the tale of a 10-year-old who dreams of becoming a knight.
“Many of our students have been fans of Peirce for years and are very anxious to meet him,” according to a release from the school. “To build further interest for this exciting event, students who have been ‘caught reading’ Peirce’s books have had their photos hung around the school while others have taken part in an ‘Ask a Question of Mr. Peirce’ contest.”
School librarians Suzanne Liacos-Dix and Sharon Walsh will also be offering small group book talks about Pierce’s work and raffles as well.
Copies of Peirce’s books can be purchased through the Westbrook Middle School’s library between March 20 and March 29.
Westbrook Police are seeking information about a triple-fatal crash March 11 on County Road.
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