Three people have died and one was seriously injured in four separate vehicle crashes this weekend. Two of the fatalities were motorcyclists; in another crash, a motorcycle operator was injured when his bike crashed after a suspected mechanical failure.

The most recent fatality happened at about 6:20 p.m. Sunday in the 1600 block of Route 109 in Acton. York County Sheriff Bill King said Dakota Thomas, 22, of Sanford was operating a 2008 Honda CBR 600 with two other motorcyclists when his bike left the roadway, drove across a lawn, and struck a dip on the ground. Thomas, who was wearing a helmet, was ejected and landed about 30 feet into the woods. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

King said excessive speed is believed to be a factor in the crash, which is being reconstructed by the sheriff’s office.

On the previous day, May 9, Maine State Police responded to a fatal motorcycle crash at about 1 p.m. on New County Road ”“ also known as Route 5 ”“ in Dayton. Details on the crash are sketchy, but according to a news release, it appears Adam Kimball, 43, of Lyman crashed his motorcycle and was transported to Maine Medical Center in Portland, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Maine Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland said investigators indicated that speed may have contributed to the crash.

Earlier on May 9, at 3 a.m., Maine State Police were called to crash between a tractor trailer truck and a sedan on Rt. 202 in Hollis. The driver of the car, Travis Lowberg, 24, of Raymond, was killed when his vehicle crossed the center line into the pathway of the tractor trailer truck.

McCausland said the tractor trailer driven by Marc Bowland, 35, of Rhode Island was heading west on Route 202. when it was struck by Lowberg, heading east. Lowberg was pronounced dead at the scene.

The tractor caught fire upon impact, according to McCausland, but Bowland was able to escape the burning vehicle through the passenger side window. He had non”“life threatening injuries.

At about 5:30 p.m. Sunday, a man sustained head injuries in a crash on Townhouse Road in Waterboro. York County Sheriff Bill King said Dana Morin, 52, of Steep Falls was riding his 2010 Harley Davidson when the bike had a mechanical failure. King said Morin appeared to lay the motorcycle down and skidded about 200 feet before coming to a stop. He was taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland, where he was in stable condition late Sunday night. No further information was available.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324”“4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282”“1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.