BUXTON — Distracted driving and heavy snowfall have been cited as contributing factors in a jarring head-on collision in Buxton that left a driver seriously injured and resulted in a roadway closure for several hours on Friday.

According to Buxton Chief of Police Troy A. Cline, Buxton police officers and Buxton Fire-Rescue personnel were called to the site of a two-vehicle accident with multiple injuries about 2:40 p.m. Friday at 624 Long Plains Road (Route 22) in Buxton during a snowstorm.

“With the poor weather conditions, it made it difficult for emergency responders to get to the scene,” Cline said. “Once on scene, it was determined that Gorham Fire Police were needed and the road was subsequently shut down.”

Cline said a red 2012 Dodge Avenger driven by Lauren Edgerly, 26, of Parsonsfield collided with a white 2012 Ford E-250 van driven by Matthew Hutchins, 33, of Old Orchard Beach.

“Investigation revealed that Edgerly was talking to her mother on her cell phone and lost control of her vehicle,” Cline said.

The Dodge Avenger drifted into oncoming lane and ran into the van head-on, he said.

Edgerly was transported to Maine Medical Center in Portland in critical condition and she remained hospitalized there Tuesday afternoon.  Hutchins received minor injuries in the accident.

Investigation into the accident is ongoing.

— Executive Editor Ed Pierce can be reached at 282-1535 ext. 326 or by email at editor@journaltribune.com