Washburn, Maine — The Washburn community and Washburn District High School are mourning the loss of a 17-year-old student who was killed in a snowmobile crash Saturday afternoon in Aroostook County. Another teenager was seriously injured in the incident.
According to the Maine Department of Public Safety, the crash occurred shortly after 1 p.m. on Story Street in Washburn. Authorities said a 17-year-old male was operating a snowmobile with a 17-year-old female riding as a passenger when the vehicle approached a 90-degree turn at a high rate of speed.
Investigators determined the driver was traveling too fast to safely navigate the turn. The snowmobile struck a curb and overturned, ejecting both teenagers. Officials said the teens were wearing helmets at the time of the crash.
Both were thrown from the snowmobile and struck the side of a nearby house. The female passenger died at the scene. The male driver sustained multiple injuries and was initially taken to CARY Medical Center before being transferred to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor for further treatment.
Authorities have not released the names of the teens.
Maine State Police said speed is believed to have been a contributing factor in the crash. The investigation remains ongoing.
School officials and community members have expressed deep sorrow over the loss, offering condolences to the victim’s family and support to those affected by the tragedy.