Crews respond to rollover crash on State Route 11
One Dead, Several Injured in Rollover Crash on State Route 11 in Patten
PATTEN, Maine – A weekend scenic drive turned tragic on Saturday morning, June 21, 2025, when a two-vehicle rollover crash on State Route 11 in Patten claimed the life of an 82-year-old man and left several others, including children, with injuries.
The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the fatal incident occurred at approximately 9:30 a.m. near the scenic lookout on State Route 11. According to the initial investigation, a GMC pickup truck, driven by the deceased, was attempting to make a U-turn from the scenic lookout to head southbound. As the truck re-entered the roadway, it was struck on the driver’s side by a northbound Dodge pickup truck. The force of the impact caused the GMC to roll over.
The driver of the GMC was pronounced dead at the scene. His name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. A child passenger in the GMC sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The Dodge pickup was carrying five occupants, two adults and three children. All five were transported to a nearby hospital with what authorities have described as non-life-threatening injuries.
Emergency crews from the Patten and Sherman fire departments, along with the Maine Warden Service and Penobscot County Sheriff’s deputies, responded to the scene. The section of State Route 11 was closed for several hours as first responders tended to the injured and investigators processed the scene. Traffic was rerouted, causing significant delays in the area.
The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation into the exact cause of the crash. They have not yet indicated if any charges will be filed. Investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact the Sheriff’s Office with any information.
This tragic event serves as a somber reminder of the importance of caution when entering and exiting roadways, especially in areas with scenic turnouts where traffic patterns can be unpredictable.
