Motorcyclist dies from injuries in Whitefield crash

Tue, 09/30/2014 - 9:30am

A Gardiner man has died from injuries he got when the motorcycle he was riding in Whitefield Sunday night crashed into a deer and into another motorcycle his wife was riding, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department reported Tuesday.

The Maine Medical Examiner’s Office informed the sheriff’s department late Monday evening that Kenneth Black, 50, had died as a result of the Sept. 28 crash on Mills Road in Whitefield, Tuesday’s press release states.

Black had been taken by helicopter to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston with what appeared to be a serious head injury; he apparently succumbed to his injuries early Monday afternoon, Sept. 29, the release continues.

“Deputies will continue to investigate this crash to determine a cause. To date the information gathered continues to indicate that the crash occurred when Mr. Black lost control of his motorcycle as he attempted to avoid a deer that had been previously struck by another vehicle,” the release states.

According to an earlier release, the motorcycle Black was on then struck one his wife, Laurie Black, 47, was riding.

Laurie Black complained of head and knee pain but declined medical transport, according to the Sept. 29 press release.

She and her husband had been traveling south on Mills Road, or Route 218; neither was wearing a helmet, authorities said.

 “At this time criminal charges appear unlikely but the District Attorney’s Office will have the final review of this investigation once it is complete,” the latest press release states.

The deer fled from the scene Sunday night, Sheriff’s Lt. Rand Maker states in a Sept. 30 email response to a question from the Wiscasset Newspaper.

Related: Motorcyclist strikes wife’s motorcycle, deer in Whitefield