A two-vehicle crash involving a Lincoln County Sheriff’s patrol vehicle occurred on Townhouse Road in Whitefield at 3:40 p.m. on September 18. This collision resulted in injuries to both drivers and sole occupants of the vehicles.

Deputy Chad Gilbert, 41, of Whitefield was traveling north on Townhouse Road in his fully marked 2011 Ford Crown Victoria police vehicle.

Gabriela Soohey, 42, of Searsmont, was traveling south in a 2002 Chevrolet Prism sedan.

As Soohey approached a right curve, she became distracted by her cellular telephone. Soohey’s vehicle entered the north bound travel lane and into the path of Deputy Gilbert.

Gilbert attempted to avoid contact with Soohey's vehicle by steering right and braking. Soohey applied her brakes and both vehicles collided nearly head on within the north bound travel lane. Gilbert’s vehicle left the roadway and came to rest in the north bound shoulder.

Soohey’s vehicle rotated counter-clockwise, crossed the roadway and came to rest positioned perpendicular in the south bound travel lane and shoulder.

Soohey needed to be extricated from her vehicle and was transported for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Deputy Gilbert was assisted from his vehicle by a nearby resident and later received treatment for minor abrasions to his arms.

Both drivers were wearing seat belts and their airbags deployed at the time of the crash. Both vehicles appear to be a total loss.

The primary investigating officer is Sgt. Jason Nein who was assisted at the scene by Lt. Rand Maker. Members of the Whitefield Fire & Rescue and Delta Ambulance Service responded to the scene.