Three Maine children are dead and two others are injured after a reported unlicensed teen driver lost control of a vehicle over the weekend.
Central Maine reports that the incident happened on Sunday morning when a 16-year-old boy smashed a vehicle he was driving into a pine tree off of Hinckley Road in Clinton. When police arrived at the scene, they found three passengers deceased inside the vehicle.
The deceased victims have been identified as Thomas Porfirio, 15, Emily Baker, 14, and Ashland Baker, 12. Two other people inside the vehicle, including the unnamed driver and 12-year-old Naveah Wilson, were taken to the hospital but are expected to survive.
Authorities said at this time, the driver’s identity “is being withheld as investigators and district attorney’s office continues to review the crash investigation.”
According to the DA’s office, the teen driver could possibly face charges since he was driving without a driver’s license.
HAPPENING NOW: A single-car crash on Hinckley Road in Clinton killed three people, and injured two. All five passengers in the car were under the age of 18. The two injured passengers are on their way to Maine Medical Center. pic.twitter.com/gg6gvY3FAm
— Sam Rogers (@slaminsamNCM) February 9, 2020
Police said driver inexperience combined with speed likely caused the fiery crash. They said the vehicle, a 2007 Toyota Corolla, hit an icy patch which made the driver lose control. Coffee cups, fast food wrappers, and soda bottles were found scattered around the vehicle.
“Troopers said the car struck an icy patch on the road, went into an uncontrolled skid and struck the large tree on the passenger’s side of the 2007 Toyota Corolla,” Clinton police said during a Sunday morning press conference.
This is the car police say crashed on Hinckley Rd in Clinton killing three teenagers @newscentermaine pic.twitter.com/unY0hSJNWS
— Roslyn Flaherty (@roslyn_flaherty) February 9, 2020
Two of the victims were students at Lawrence High School, while two others attended Lawrence Junior High School.
“Our community is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our students, sisters Ashlin and Emily Baker, and Thomas Porfirio. Our hearts break for their families at this most unimaginably painful and difficult time, and through the grief they will face for their much beloved children,” the school district wrote on Facebook.
Meanwhile, Clinton Police Chief Stanley W. Bell is asking any witnesses or anyone with additional information to come forward.
“We are asking anyone who may have seen anything prior to the accident or had contact with any of the victims to please contact us as we work to piece together the events leading up to the accident,” McCausland said.
The story is developing. Check back for updates.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast. Here is our latest episode.
[Feature Photo: Pixabay]
