WARREN, Maine — A 19-year-old man died Sunday afternoon in a two-car crash at Route 90 and Western Road.
The collision occurred around 1:20 p.m. when a 2026 Ram pickup, driven by Churchill Burwell of New Haven, Connecticut, entered the intersection from Western Road and collided with a 2024 Toyota Corolla traveling eastbound on Route 90, operated by Margaret Coleman, 48, of Whitefield.
Burwell died at the scene while Coleman sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to a critical care center in Portland. A juvenile passenger in Coleman's vehicle was also taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
Knox Regional Communications Center received reports of the crash, prompting responses from multiple emergency services. First responders found both vehicles severely damaged in an adjacent field.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy,” said Knox County Sheriff Patrick Polky. “We are focused on uncovering the details of this incident. A reconstruction team is actively investigating the collision.”
The intersection has a high crash rate, with 11 incidents and 18 injuries reported from 2023 to 2025, according to Maine Department of Transportation data. Preliminary engineering for a roundabout at the site was underway in 2023.
Speed limits are set at 35 mph on Western Road and 50 mph on Route 90. The Knox County Sheriff's Office expressed gratitude to the numerous agencies that assisted in the response, including the Warren Fire Department and Maine State Police.
The investigation remains active, with further details to be released as they are verified.