On Monday, Sept. 2 at 2:36 p.m., Lincoln County Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a motor vehicle crash on Route 27/Gardiner Road in Dresden.

Deputies responded to the area and found a three-car collision had occurred near the intersection with Carriage Court.

The initial investigation revealed that a yellow four-door 2016 KIA RIO, operated by Andrew Coombs, 33, of Portland, was southbound on Route 27 when it crossed into the northbound lane. After crossing into the northbound lane, the KIA struck two northbound vehicles. The first northbound vehicle, a Black 2018 Hyundai SUV was operated by Brad Reed, 41, of Auburn. The second northbound vehicle was a Red 2023 Infinity QX55 operated by Megan Higgins, 43, of Augusta. Higgins had two children, ages 10 and 11, in the vehicle with her. 

After being struck by the Coombs vehicle, both the Reed and Higgins vehicles rolled onto their roofs on the northbound shoulder. The Coombs vehicle came to rest in the southbound lane.

Andrew Coombs did not survive the impact and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Higgins,  her children and Reed were transported to Maine Medical Center by Wiscasset EMS with internal injuries.  

All involved in the collision were wearing seat belts. Air bags deployed in all vehicles. 

The cause of the collision remains under investigation. The vehicle being driven by Coombs had been reported to the Sheriff's Office for erratic operation just prior to the collision. Deputies were headed to the area to search for the vehicle when the crash occurred.

Dep. Samuel Alexander is the primary investigator in this event.  He was assisted by Dreden Fire Department, Wiscasset Fire/EMS and Police Department, Gardiner EMS and Woolwich Fire. Crash Reconstructionists from Lincoln and Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Offices and Brunswick Police are investigating the crash. 

Gardiner Road was reopened at 6:37 p.m.

Any witnesses or persons with information related to this event are asked to contact Lieutenant Brendan Kane or Deputy Samuel Alexander at 882-7332  or BKANE@LINCOLNSO.ME.