Livermore, ME — A late-night police attempt to stop a speeding vehicle in rural Maine ended in tragedy on Monday, leaving two people dead after the driver lost control and crashed at high speed, according to local authorities.
Deputy Spots Vehicle Speeding Over 100 MPH
The incident began around 10:30 p.m. when a deputy from the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office, stationed near the Turner Town Office, noticed a car racing northbound on Route 4. The vehicle — later identified as a blue 2013 Audi Q5 — had a noticeably loud exhaust and was traveling “at a very high rate of speed,” the sheriff’s office said.
The deputy attempted to pursue the Audi, but the SUV quickly accelerated beyond 100 mph, weaving past other drivers and pulling further ahead. Despite activating emergency lights and trying to close the distance, the deputy couldn’t get near enough to conduct a traffic stop.
Realizing the vehicle was pulling away too fast, the deputy made the decision to terminate the attempt to catch up, citing safety concerns.
Deputy Discovers Fiery Crash Moments Later
Only minutes after discontinuing the pursuit, the same deputy came upon a devastating single-car wreck in the 1800 block of Federal Road in Livermore. Authorities say the crash occurred when the speeding Audi went airborne after striking a mailbox, then slammed into two utility poles before crashing into a tree.
The impact was catastrophic. The SUV was mangled, debris littered the roadside, and both occupants had been ejected from the vehicle, officials said.
Emergency personnel confirmed that both individuals died on scene from their injuries.
Victims Identified
Authorities identified the victims as:
- David Banville, 37, of Wilton
- Molly Hinkel, 31, of Jay
Both were inside the Audi at the time of the crash. Officials have not yet clarified who was driving at the time the SUV went airborne.
Damage to Utility Infrastructure Causes Road Closure
The violent collision caused major damage to roadside equipment. After the Audi struck the first utility pole, it hit a second one with enough force to snap it in half, sending live wires sprawling across Federal Road.
The area was immediately shut down as crews worked through the night to replace and repair the damaged pole. According to officials, the road was safely reopened around 4:50 a.m. on Tuesday.
Investigators will continue examining what caused the driver to accelerate dangerously and lose control.
Community Mourns After Violent Crash
Residents in Livermore and surrounding towns have expressed shock at the severity of the crash, noting the rural road is not suited for extreme speeds. For many, the wreck stands as a sobering reminder of how quickly high-speed driving can turn fatal — not only for passengers but potentially for innocent motorists nearby.
As friends and family begin to mourn the deaths of Banville and Hinkel, the sheriff’s office is urging drivers to remain cautious, especially during late-night hours when visibility is reduced and response times are slower.
