Crime & Safety
Alcohol Suspected in Fiery West Gardiner Crash
Christopher Ellis, 27, of Litchfield, fell asleep and struck a tree, police said.
WEST GARDINER, ME — State police said a driver from Litchfield is lucky to be alive after slamming into at a tree in West Gardiner Sunday. Christopher Ellis, 27, was seriously hurt after police said he crashed at about 6 a.m. Alcohol is suspected and police said charges against Ellis are pending until toxicology testing is done.
Ellis' car burst into flames and he was temporarily trapped.
"Ellis had managed to call for help before exiting the vehicle," police said in a statement. "A neighbor to the crash saw Ellis lying on the ground outside his car as the fire was spreading towards him and was able to drag him away from the fire, across the road, and to safety."
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Police said someone called the fire department, thinking a building was on fire.
Ellis was driving a 2016 Nissan Rogue.
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"(He) was wearing his seatbelt which likely saved his life," police said.
Photos: Wreckage of a crash in West Gardiner on Nov. 13, 2016. (Credit: Maine State Police)
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