A 51-year-old Litchfield man died Wednesday evening, April 15, after his motorcycle left the roadway and struck a utility pole on Route 197 in Wales.
According to the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred at approximately 6:00pm.
Steven A. Caouette was traveling toward Litchfield when he failed to negotiate a curve, causing the motorcycle to leave the travel lane and collide with a utility pole. The impact was severe enough to break the pole, which fell across the roadway and temporarily blocked Route 197. Caouette was ejected from the motorcycle and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Deputies from the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office responded along with firefighters from the Wales and Sabattus Fire Departments, officers from the Sabattus Police Department, and personnel from United Ambulance Service. A sheriff’s office detective was called to the scene to assist with crash reconstruction.
The incident remains under active investigation. No additional details, including speed or possible contributing factors, have been released at this time.
Route 197 was closed for a period following the crash while crews cleared the debris and restored the roadway.
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