PALERMO — A Palermo father and son and two Bucksport brothers died on snowy Route 3 on Sunday afternoon in Maine’s deadliest motor vehicle crash of the year.

The crash happened at about 1:30 p.m., when an SUV driven by Tyler Manduca, 18, of Bucksport, skidded on the road and was struck broadside by a car driven by Dennis Sturges, 64, of Palermo, Department of Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland said in a press release.

Additional Photos

-People wait Sunday for volunteer firefighters to re-open Route 3 in Palermo after a two vehicle accident claimed the lives of four people. Firefighters shut the road and bypasses through Palermo while the accident was reconstructed. Staff photo by Andy Molloy

Manduca and Sturges were killed, as were Manduca’s passenger, his brother Kyle Manduca, 21, and Sturges’ passenger, his father, Roy Lucier, 83, also of Palermo.

Manduca was traveling too fast for the conditions and alcohol was not considered to be a factor, according to state police.

Police said both pairs of men were headed to family Christmas events.

Route 3 was closed until about 5 p.m. as troopers investigated and cleared the scene. China, Montville, Palermo and Liberty fire departments assisted at the scene.

The crash was the deadliest in the state this year, McCausland said.

The crash in Palermo was the most serious of several that took place in central Maine on Sunday as a steady daylong snowfall and cold temperatures made roads slippery. Most of the crashes reported Sunday did not result in serious injuries, safety officials said.

Augusta police Sgt. Christopher Shaw said his department handled several cases of vehicles sliding off roads.
Waterville police Sgt. Bill Bonney said the slick conditions caused at least five minor accidents in the city by early evening.

Maine State Police also handled several crashes, including at least two on Interstate 95.

Susan McMillan — 621-5645
smcmillan@mainetoday.com

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