CHESTERVILLE – A Mt. Blue Regional School District bus was significantly damaged and one student was transported to the hospital Thursday afternoon, after police say a driver failed to stop for a stop sign.
According to Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Lt. David Rackliffe, the bus was struck just after it crossed the bridge on Route 41 near the Chesterville/Farmington town line at 2:05 p.m. A 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier operated by a Brittany Dugal, 18 of Thorndike, failed to stop at the stop sign on Route 156. The car struck the front right side of the bus, Rackliffe said.
There were 22 students on the bus, which was operated by Alycia Stevens, 33 of New Sharon. One, 11-year-old girl from New Sharon was transported by NorthStar EMS to Franklin Memorial Hospital after she complained of pain.
The Cavalier received disabling damage in the crash, Rackcliffe said, with the bus receiving significant damage that still allowed it to be driven from the scene. Another school bus picked up some students from the scene, with parents taking others home directly.
It appeared that Dugal, who was unfamiliar with the area, didn’t notice the stop sign, Rackliffe said. She was charged with failing to stop for a stop sign, a traffic violation.
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash, with Deputy Brian McCormick assisted at the scene by Lt. David St. Laurent and Rackliffe. NorthStar EMS and Farmington Fire Rescue personnel also responded, as did additional MBRSD staff.
The stop sign does sit in a stupid spot at that intersection.. it should be closer to the road not sitting in the middle of the grass triangle
Pretty sure it’s not the stop signs fault she didn’t stop….
I sit in my living room and vehicles run this stop sign all day long. There’s two stop signs on both sides of this intersection. Officials are aware of the number of vehicles that do not stop. Tractor trailers run this sign as well. They wouldn’t want to have to take off from a complete stop. This could of been a lot worse.
I too can watch this intersection from my front yard. I haven’t noticed tractor trailers not stopping,
( I will now pay closer attention ), but I have seen many other vehicle just blow right through the intersection.
It’s not like the authorities don’t watch this area, lot’s of blue lights flashing quite often.
When I pulled up I knew exactly what had happened and BB is correct, it could have bee so much worse.
Traffic laws/signs are intended to protect drivers and passengers as well as the general public. Best to obey them.
Point. If a driver is not familiar with an area, then that driver should be overly attentive and cautious. Missing a stop sign in broad daylight is not excusable unless the driver has an unforeseen medical event.
here’s a new concept. if you happen to take the time to look up from the phone in your lap (not saying this is the case here) and notice you are approaching an intersection, look for signs, assume you have to at least yield, and check both ways (twice). i live near a similar intersection and witness people not even think about letting off the gas as they go through a stop sign every day, several times a day. people get too comfortable with daily routine and it will catch up to them. when you are driving…pay attention.
It’s a BIG YELLOW BUS how do you not see it and run into the side of it?! The stop sign is NOT new, this was driver inattention and I’m glad she was charged. Hopefully she’ll lose her license for a while to teach her a lesson!