WINSLOW — Funerals are planned for two teenagers who were killed in a car crash last week. Meanwhile, their high school continues to offer support to grieving students and investigators continue to seek answers.
Alexandria Ferland of Vassalboro and Scott Loisel of Winslow, both 16, were killed Friday night when the car Loisel was driving crested a hill at a high rate of speed, lost control and slammed into an oncoming taxi, according to police. Three people in the taxi were hospitalized.
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Loisel’s services begin at 1 p.m. Thursday at Faith Evangelical Church on Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville. Ferland’s are at 4 p.m. at Veilleux Funeral Home on Elm Street in Waterville.
Lt. Josh Veilleux said Tuesday there are no updates in the investigation or the condition of the three adults in the taxi, which was southbound on South Reynolds Road about two miles from the intersection with China Road when it was struck.
The cab was driven by Jamie Howard, 36, of Waterville. Riding in the front passenger seat was Brian Roy, 43, of Winslow. David Green Jr., 41, of Belgrade, was in the back seat. Howard and Green were taken to MaineGeneral Medical Center’s Thayer Campus in Waterville. Roy was taken to Inland Hospital in Waterville, then transferred to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. All three were listed in stable condition Saturday, but attempts to update their conditions have been unsuccessful, Veilleux said.
A dispatcher at Elm Street Taxi wouldn’t comment on a reporter’s questions about the crash or Howard’s condition and messages left with the business owner were not returned.
After the crash, both cars were taken to an impound lot in Augusta, according to Veilleux, not the state crime lab, as previously reported.
Veilleux said he hasn’t determined whether Loisel was violating a license restriction that applies to new juvenile drivers. For the first 180 days after receiving a license, drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from carrying passengers who are not family members, unless they are accompanied by a passenger who has held a driver’s license for at least two consecutive years, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Veilleux said he has submitted a request to the state for a certified copy of Loisel’s driving record, which will indicate if he was within the 180-day period.
Another licensing restriction prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from driving between midnight and 5 a.m. The accident was reported to dispatchers at 11:05 p.m.
On Monday, counselors from area schools were prepared for high school students grieving over the deaths. Winslow High School principal Doug Carville said the entire school staff, including about 10 counselors, met at 7 a.m. to discuss the range of reactions that students might experience.
“We outlined our desire to have the day be as normal as possible with the understanding that some people would need other kinds of support,” he said.
Students who are affected by the deaths might experience a lack of concentration, a lack of appetite, sleeplessness or anger — all of which are normal reactions, Carville said. If, however, a parent notices their child seems isolated, reckless or gives away possessions, then grief counseling is advised, he said.
The range of reactions can occur even if students weren’t closely associated with Loisel or Ferland, Carville said. Parents should be prepared to offer their children support, listen to their concerns and provide them opportunities to spend time with other students.
Memorial funds for each teenager have been established at TD Bank.
Ben McCanna — 861-9239
bmccanna@centralmaine.com
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