Several People Injured When Vehicle Strikes Horse-Drawn Carriage

Several people were injured, one critically, when a vehicle struck a horse-drawn wagon that was giving rides to people attending a Christmas party.

Waterville Police Chief Charles Rumsey, IV said in a press release that the accident happened just after 2:30 p.m. on Christmas Day. Police say it appears that the carriage, owned by S&S Carriage Rides of Sidney, was providing rides to guests and volunteers from a holiday dinner hosted at the Waterville Elks Lodge when it was struck from behind by a sedan driven by Richard Libby, age 73 of Clinton. The carriage was driven by Cathleen Simmons, age 42 of Sidney. Libby was alone in his car while there were 14 passengers in the carriage.

Both the carriage and vehicle were damaged, and 7 people who were riding on the carriage were injured. Most were taken to a local hospital where they were treated and released. But 56-year-old Kathy Marciarille of Rome, Maine fell from the carriage and struck, and then run over, by the car. Emergency crews removed her from under the vehicle and took her to MaineGeneral Medical Center's Thayer campus, but she was then transported by LifeFlight helicopter to Maine Medical Center in Portland where, at last report, she was in critical condition.

Police say it does not appear that speed or alcohol were factors in the crash. Rather, police say, it appears that Libby's vision was impaired by the angle and intensity of the afternoon sun, and he didn't see the carriage before striking it with his vehicle.

A final conclusion on the cause of the accident and whether any charges will be filed will be determined when the investigation is complete.