Speed being blamed in crash that killed Limerick teen

Scene of today's deadly crash in Limerick. (YCSO photo)

LIMERICK - Police are saying excessive speed is likely to blame in a Limerick crash that killed a teenager today.

The crash occurred around 7:30 a.m. in the area of 150 Burnham Road in Limerick.

Upon arrival, deputies found two young men had been ejected from the vehicle.

Initial investigation revealed that a 2001 Ford Taurus, driven by Caleb Washburn, 20, of Limerick, was traveling east on Burnham Road when it lost control and struck a utility pole, snapping the utility pole in half, strewing live wires across the road.

The vehicle then careened off the pole and rolled over, ejecting both Washburn and his passenger and coming to rest on the opposite side of the road on its roof.

Washburn was transported to the Maine Medical Center with shoulder and leg injuries. Austyn Pfeiffer, 19, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Burnham Road was closed to traffic for three hours while CMP workers removed the wires and replaced the pole.

The crash is being investigated, however, preliminary analysis shows excessive speed to be a factor.

Neither Washburn nor Pfeiffer were wearing seat belts.