Man dies in single-vehicle crash in Sullivan

SULLIVAN, ME — A 32-year-old Milbridge man died Tuesday morning after his vehicle left the roadway and struck two trees on U.S. Highway 1.

Gared L. Birdtail was pronounced dead at the scene from injuries sustained in the crash.

The Hancock County Regional Communications Center received multiple reports of the single-vehicle crash at approximately 10:39 a.m. near the intersection of U.S. Highway 1 and Taunton Drive.

Witnesses reported Birdtail was traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 1 at a high rate of speed when he was unable to safely negotiate a curve in the roadway.

The vehicle left the right side of the road and descended a small embankment.

The 2010 red Dodge Avenger continued along the roadside, struck a tree, rolled onto its roof and collided with a second tree before coming to rest.

Birdtail was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

Detective Rick Canarr of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is the primary investigating officer.

He was assisted at the scene by Chief Deputy William Birch, Lt. Brian Archer, Lt. Dakota Dupuis, Sgt. Rob Morang, Sgt. Marcus Downes, Deputy Kamren Jennings and Deputy Ernest Fitch.

The Sullivan, Franklin and Hancock fire departments also responded, along with Versant Power, Maine D.O.T. and D.C. Towing.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Sgt. Marcus Downes is leading the crash reconstruction.