PHILLIPS – A 21-year-old Dixfield man died as the result of a crash in which police say his pickup truck was unable to stop at an intersection due to icy road conditions and collided into the rear wheels of a tractor trailer on Saturday morning.
Investigators say Loren Keim’s 1997 Ford Ranger was traveling on Weld Road (Route 142) towards Phillips on Saturday morning.
“Keim failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of Rangeley Road and struck the trailer portion of a tractor trailer unit that was operating north on Rangeley Road,” reported Sgt. Matthew Brann of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. “Keim’s vehicle struck the (rear) axles on the trailer causing catastrophic damage to Keim’s vehicle.”
Emergency crews were called at 6:57 a.m. to the scene. On arrival, fire fighters extricated Keim and he was transported by a NorthStar ambulance to Franklin Memorial Hospital. He was then flown by a LifeFlight helicopter to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston.
Keim died at 12:30 p.m. today, surrounded by family members, said Sheriff Scott Nichols. Keim is the son of District 18 state Senator Lisa Keim of Dixfield.
Richard Giles, 61, of Jay was operating a 2011 Peterbilt tractor trailer unit, which was hauling an empty Poland Spring water tanker. The tractor trailer is owned by Darrell Tibbetts of Livermore. Giles was not injured in the crash, Nichols said.
According to Brann, “Giles was driving north on Route 4 (Rangeley Road) in the passing lane portion of the road. Giles stated he was in the passing lane because the right lane had not been treated for snow.”
“At the time of the crash Phillips was getting snow flurries and the road was covered with some snow, making the road conditions slippery. It initially appears that the road conditions contributed to the cause of the crash,” Brann said.
Deputy Brian McCormick is the lead investigator of the crash. He was assisted at the scene by Lt. David Rackliffe, Sgt. Brann and Deputy Andrew Morgan. Sgt. Kevin Hartley is conducting forensic mapping of the crash scene. State Police Cpl. Derrick Record and Trooper Joe Parker of commercial enforcement inspected the truck.
Also assisting at the scene were the Phillips Fire Department and Farmington Fire Department. Keim’s vehicle was removed from the scene by Collins Enterprises. The truck sustained no damage and was able to leave the scene under its own power. The trailer was towed by Big Rig Trucking of Oxford.
What a terrible thing to happen. Loren was so young. God.s way is not our ways. It is hard to understand but we have to leave this at God;s feet, and rest assured that God had a purpose in this, My prayers and thoughts are with all the family.
Our sympathies to his family, friends .. and all involved.. heart breaking for first responders as,well .
Franklin County is mourning the loss of Loren. Our collective thoughts and prayers go to the Keim family in their time of need.
Papa Pete loves you all. I am heartbroken over your loss.
Much love.
If you have no connection to
people in accidents you hear about, it is easier to think “this cannot happen to me” but if you have some connection, any connection, especially through someone you love, it is even easier to fear for us all. And grieve. Prayers to all, especially the Keim family.
May God bring peace to you hearts. Sending prayers and love to the entire family.
So sorry for this terrible loss. I know Loren was an accomplishmed and smart young man.
May you take comfort in knowing we’re he is. Your church family will miss he greatly.
God Bless!
OH this is so sad, prayers
Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the Keim family.
Such an incredibly sad tragedy. My thoughts and prayers go out to this young man’s family.
Summer and the rest of the family, I am so sorry …
our deepest sorrow and condolences to the family. How awful and sad.
So sad, very sorry for your loss. Our thought and prayers are with you.
Such a terrible tragedy. We are sorry for your loss. Prayers and caring thoughts go out to all the family.
The sadness I feel can not be expressed in words. My heart breaks for this kind and loving family. My love to you Lisa and family.
Sending prayers to the Keim family may God give you his Peace.
Bad
I hope Phillips highway dept can get there act together.. just came over weld road tonight, weld had sanded and road was fine. Not one drop of sand on Phillips side.. this could of happened again tonight.. over 1 inch of snow and hill was very slippery…
Sorry for your loss.
Such a bright young man that held so much promise who comes from an exceptional family.
So Sad!!! I’m so sorry for your loss.
My thoughts and prayers are with the whole Keim, Marble and Douglas family.
Such a tragedy from our perspective, but we know God will hold you in His arms and give you the strength to get through. Although the grieving may be deep and long, there’s a hope in Jesus that all will be better in the end.
Sorry for Loren and sierra and summer and their family
Concerned Citizen please do not lay blame where it is undeserved. I live on the Weld Rd. I believe the Phillips highway department does the best they can with the resources they have, considering the miles of road they cover. While Weld town does a good job, too, Phillips recently had the road plowed perfectly while Weld had 4 plus inches covering the road. It happens. Weld Rd happens to be at considerable elevation and often has snow squalls the rest of Phillips doesn’t get. The morning in question was like that. We all know we can be taken by surprise by winter conditions. I have slid past the same stop sign myself this winter and am more cautious now. It doesn’t make this tragedy any better to try and lay blame. Our deep sympathy is with the Keim family.
Deepest sympathy to the Keim family. May you all seek and find comfort in God’s arms.