Warren — The driver of a sedan "took her eyes off the roadway" to answer a ringing cell phone shortly before striking the vehicle ahead of her as it was slowing to make a turn in a mid-morning, two-vehicle collision in Warren on Saturday, Sept. 29.

Caitlin Jean was traveling eastbound on Route 90 around 8:45 a.m. when she looked away from the road to answer her ringing cell phone. She failed to notice the van traveling in front of her, operated by Michael Severson, had slowed to make a right hand turn into Damariscotta Bank and Trust, according to information provided by Knox County Sheriff Donna Dennison that included a narrative from responding Deputy Paul Spear.

When Jean's eyes returned to the roadway she noticed the turning van ahead, according to the police report. Spear reported that Jean made a last minute attempt to avert a collision with Severson but was unable to avoid striking the rear of his van. The impact caused the van to spin before coming to rest on the grassy shoulder near the entrance to Damariscotta Bank and Trust. Jean's sedan continued off the roadway and into the ditch at the entrance to the bank.

Jean was issued a summons for failure to maintain control of a motor vehicle. Severson was also issued a summons, his for a defective motor vehicle. Spears cited inadequate front tires and a cracked windshield in his assessment of the van as defective.

Initial reports indicated an injured party was transported from the scene via ambulance. Email correspondence from Dennison indicated Spear's official crash report was still pending completion the evening of Sunday, Sept 30.

Both drivers are residents of Waldoboro.

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