FORT FAIRFIELD, ME — A devastating two-vehicle crash on Route 1A (Limestone Road) near the Limestone town line has left one person dead and three others with life-threatening injuries, according to the Fort Fairfield Police Department. The collision occurred on the morning of Monday, August 5, 2025, just after 10:00 a.m., and has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community of Limestone, Maine, as all those involved — Carrie Smith-Gagne, Pierre Gagne, Amber Turcotte, and Casey Clayton — are local residents.
Details of the Crash
Initial reports from investigators indicate that a 2012 Chevy Impala, traveling southbound, veered onto the dirt shoulder of the roadway. In an attempt to correct the vehicle’s path, the driver overcorrected, causing the Impala to cross into the northbound lane, where it collided head-on with a 2023 Chevy Trailblazer traveling north.
The impact of the crash was catastrophic.
The occupants of the Impala, 25-year-old Amber Turcotte and 37-year-old Casey Clayton, were both ejected from the vehicle during the collision. Neither was reported to be wearing a seatbelt. Emergency responders quickly arrived on scene and provided medical assistance.
- Amber Turcotte was transported to A.R. Gould Hospital in Presque Isle with life-threatening injuries.
- Casey Clayton was taken to Cary Medical Center in Caribou, also in critical condition.
In the Trailblazer, the driver, 60-year-old Carrie Smith-Gagne, was pronounced dead at the scene. She had been wearing her seatbelt. Her passenger, 72-year-old Pierre Gagne, also wearing a seatbelt, sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to Cary Medical Center.
Remembering Carrie Smith-Gagne
The tragic loss of Carrie Smith-Gagne has left the Limestone community mourning the death of a woman remembered as caring, warm-hearted, and deeply devoted to her family. Friends and neighbors describe her as someone who had a calming presence and a passion for helping others. Her sudden passing has left a void that words cannot fill.
Condolences have poured in online from those who knew her, with many expressing heartbreak at the news and extending prayers for Pierre Gagne’s recovery.
Emergency Response and Ongoing Investigation
Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including:
- Fort Fairfield Police Department
- Fort Fairfield Fire & Rescue
- Maine State Police
- Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office
- Local EMS personnel
The Fort Fairfield Police Department has confirmed that the crash remains under active investigation. Authorities are working to determine the precise cause of the crash, including whether speed, distraction, or other factors may have played a role.
A Stark Reminder of Road Safety
This incident highlights the critical importance of seatbelt usage, vehicle control, and safe driving habits—especially on rural roads where shoulders are unpaved and can cause a sudden loss of control. While the occupants of the Trailblazer were properly restrained, the severity of the crash proved fatal for one and devastating for the other.
The Fort Fairfield Police urge all drivers to:
- Always wear seatbelts, regardless of seating position.
- Stay alert and avoid distractions while driving.
- Reduce speed on rural and curved roads where shoulders may be unstable.
- Ensure all passengers are properly secured.
As the investigation continues, anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has information is encouraged to contact the Fort Fairfield Police Department.
Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Carrie Smith-Gagne, and our prayers remain with Pierre Gagne, Amber Turcotte, and Casey Clayton as they fight for recovery.
May Carrie rest in peace, and may healing come to all those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy.
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