Motorcyclist in Wiscasset crash named; still in critical condition

Following multiple Route 1 crashes, police chief calls for drivers to pay attention
Mon, 08/18/2014 - 2:30pm

The New Jersey motorcyclist critically injured in an August 16 crash on Route 1 in Wiscasset remained in critical condition on August 19, a spokeswoman at Maine Medical Center in Portland said.

A press release from Wiscasset Police Chief Troy Cline on August 18 states that, according to witnesses, Andrei Dambuleff of Frenchtown, New Jersey, was heading south on a 1975 BMW motorcycle when it crossed into the northbound lane and struck a 2003 Hyundai Accent driven by Paul Wells, 29, of Dresden, who was also hurt in the accident. Wells was treated for his injuries at Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta, then released from the hospital, Cline states in the release.

Saturday morning’s crash caused traffic to be rerouted to Old Bath Road for two hours; it turned out to be the first of three accidents Saturday on Wiscasset’s Route 1.

“Two of these crashes could have been avoided had the operators been paying attention,” the release states. “The Wiscasset Police Department would like to remind motorists that traffic volume is high on (Route 1)  this time of year. Please pay attention to your surroundings and be patient with delays.”

The day’s second accident on Route 1 happened shortly before 1 p.m., near Beechnut Hill Road. Jean McGin, 66, of North Yarmouth was driving a 2005 Honda CRV northbound when it slowed down for traffic and was rear-ended by a northbound, 2011 Toyota Corolla driven by David Finch, 25, of Bangor. 

“Finch told the officer that he did not see the Honda stopped,” the release states. No one was hurt.

Then, shortly before 4 p.m. Saturday, Mark Barter, 54, of Boothbay was driving a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee northbound on Route 1 when he tried to turn left onto Old Bath Road. A southbound, 2001 Lexus driven by Caryl Tardiff, 64, of South Portland was unable to stop, and the two vehicles collided, according to Monday’s release.

“The operator of the jeep was at fault for failure to yield right of way to the Lexus,” the release continues.

Barter was taken to MidCoast Hospital in Brunswick with injuries from the crash; Tardiff and a passenger in the Lexus, Michael Tardiff, 65, also of South Portland, were taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland. Caryl Tardif was in satisfactory condition at MMC on Monday, Cline’s release states. No further information was available on Michael Tardiff’s or Barter’s conditions.