Three-car pileup on interstate sends two to Bangor hospital

Posted Jan. 21, 2010, at 9:23 p.m.

BANGOR, Maine — Two people were taken to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries Thursday after a three-car pileup on Interstate 95, according to police.

The accident occurred about 4 p.m. in the southbound traveling lane when Krystal Giles, 23, of Winterport was forced to stop abruptly because an unidentified motorist who was trying to merge onto the interstate from the Stillwater Avenue onramp cut into her path, state police Trooper Mike Johnston said.

Charles Mulligan, who was driving behind Giles, was blinded by glare from the setting sun and did not see Giles’ brake lights until it was too late to avoid a collision, Johnston said. His car struck Giles’ car in the rear end, he said.

Mulligan’s vehicle then was struck from behind by a third car driven by Marie Bryant, 58, of Carmel, the trooper said, adding that the impact from that collision sent Mulligan’s car into the guardrail.

Giles and Mulligan, both of whom complained of pain at the scene, were taken to Eastern Maine Medical Center for treatment, Johnston said. Giles’ 4½-month-old infant, who was secured in a child restraint in the back seat of her car, was not injured, he said.

Johnston said that all three drivers were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. He said Mulligan’s 1995 Mercury sedan and Bryant’s 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt each had a couple thousand dollars in damage. Giles’ 2001 Saturn had only scuff marks on its back bumper.