Maine Warden Service investigating two off-road fatal crashes

The Maine Warden Service responded to two separate fatal off road vehicle crashes this past weekend, one which involved a dirt bike and a side-by-side ATV.

At approximately 7:15 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, the Maine Warden Service received a call regarding an offroad vehicle crash on the Palmer Pond Road in Mayfield. Game wardens responded to the scene along with the Somerset Sheriff’s Office and members of Upper Kennebec Valley EMS.

Upon arriving, game wardens discovered a 2016 Honda CRF 450R dirt bike off the side of the dirt road, and its driver, David Pooler, 43, of Waterville deceased. An initial investigation indicates that Pooler was traveling at a high rate of speed on Palmer Pond Road when he lost control of the dirt bike and crashed. The victim was not wearing a helmet, and speed appears to be a contributing factor in the crash.

At approximately 3 p.m. on Friday, June 19, the Maine Warden Service responded to a side-by-side ATV crash on Shore Lane in the town of Lowell. Shore Lane is a private dirt road the runs along Cold Stream Pond.

Emergency medical personnel were the first on the scene, finding Frank McBride, 75 of Lowell deceased as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.

The preliminary investigation revealed McBride veered off the right side of Shore Lane on a curve operating his 2023 Can am Maverick side-by-side, then proceeded across the yard and driveway of a residence, striking a metal basketball pole, glancing off one tree before striking another tree head on, stopping the ATV. The road was closed down for a portion of the afternoon while the crash was investigated.

The crash remains under investigation. The Maine Warden Service wishes to thank Howland fire and EMS, the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office and the Penobscot Nation Warden Service for their assistance.