Ellsworth Woman Dies, 3 Others Hurt in Surry Chain-Reaction Crash

An Ellsworth woman is dead and three other people injured after a chain-reaction crash in Surry.

The Hancock County Sheriff's Department reports the crash happened at approximately 5:35 Wednesday evening on the Surry Road in Surry. A Subaru Outback driven by Thomas Bugbee, 62, of Blue Hill was traveling west, as was a Honda Civic driven by Daniel McLaughlin, 36, of Massachusetts. A Chevrolet Trailblazer, driven by Kathleen Anderson, 66, of Ellsworth, was traveling in the eastbound lane.

Officials say Bugbee attempted to pass several vehicles when he struck McLaughlin's vehicle from behind, as he was re-entering the westbound lane. This caused McLaughlin's Civic to leave the roadway and roll over. Bugbee's Outback then spun sideways and struck Anderson's Trailblazer in the eastbound lane. Bugbee's vehicle rolled over and skidded to a stop on its roof.

Kathleen Anderson was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Bugbee sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Northern Light Blue Hill Memorial Hospital for treatment. McLaughlin and his passenger, Tara Fortunato, both suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital for treatment.

This crash remains under investigation.