South Hope — A two-vehicle head-on collision just west of Grassy Pond on Route 17 in South Hope sent  two people to Pen Bay Medical Center by ambulance, said police at the scene of the Feb. 11 afternoon crash.

A tan 2004 Honda Civic operated by Jessie Martin, 24, of Union was traveling east when Martin lost control of his car, crossing the center line and colliding head-on with a 2008 Toyota Sienna minivan operated by John Bettler, 73, of Montville. Bettler was traveling west on Route 17 at the time of the crash, said Knox County Sheriff Donna Dennison in an email. The crash was reported shortly after 1:30 p.m.

Bettler's wife, Merrie Bettler, 66, was a passenger in the van. Martin was traveling alone in the Honda, according to Dennison.

The Bettlers were both transported by ambulance to Pen Bay Medical Center with minor injuries, according to Dennison. Martin complained of soreness but was treated at the scene. All three people involved in the crash were wearing seat belts, Dennison wrote.

Drivers side and passengers side airbags in both vehicles had visibly deployed.

Martin later was issued a summons for two inadequate front tires on his vehicle, those tires both had "little or no tread," Dennison said. Additionally, Martin was issued a warning for failure to notify the Secretary of State about a change of address on his driver's license, she added.

Both vehicles sustained more than $1,000 each in front-end damage, according to police. Due to the severity of damage, both vehicles had to be towed from the crash scene, according to Dennison.

Speed and inadequate tires on the Martin vehicle were the primary causes of the crash, Dennison said. Inclement road conditions also were a factor.

Rockport Police Officer Dana Smith was first on the scene and Smith assisted Knox County Sheriff's Sgt. Michael Sprague with the accident investigation, Dennison wrote.

Knox County Sheriff's Office, Camden First Aid Association, Hope Fire Department, Rockport Police, Rockport Fire Department and Union Ambulance responded to the crash.

Rockport police diverted traffic from the area of the crash while the scene was cleared.

Courier Publications reporter Jenna Lookner can be reached at 236-8511 or by email at jlookner@courierpublicationsllc.com

Two damaged vehicles sit at rest on Route 17 following a head-on collision in Hope Feb. 11. (Photo by: Bane Okholm)

Emergency services personnel transport an involved individual to a stretcher following a two-vehicle collision on Route 17 in Hope Feb. 11. (Photo by: Bane Okholm)

A member of local emergency services cleans up the scene of a two-vehicle collision on Route 17 in Hope Feb. 11. (Photo by: Bane Okholm)

Emergency services personnel inspect debris following a two-vehicle collision on Route 17 in Hope Feb. 11. (Photo by: Bane Okholm)

A member of emergency services inspects one of two vehicles involved in a head-on collision on Route 17 in Hope Feb. 11. (Photo by: Bane Okholm)

Emergency services personnel clear Route 17 following the head-on collision of two vehicles in Hope Feb. 11. (Photo by: Bane Okholm)