A family member of Jim Brown has told the Boothbay Register that the 73-year-old died of a heart attack while driving on Route 27 in Boothbay on Wednesday morning, April 8.

After the apparent heart attack, the vehicle entered the southbound ditch and struck a utility pole.

In an April 10 press release, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Brown’s identity and stated that deputies are continuing their investigation into the possibility that Brown sustained some type of medical condition prior to the crash.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene April 8 after the Lincoln County Communication Center received several calls reporting a motor vehicle crash.

Because the initial report indicated that the driver of the vehicle had sustained injuries, members of the Boothbay Fire Department and Boothbay Region Ambulance Service also responded to assist. 

Once first responders were on scene it was determined that the crash involved a single vehicle with the driver being the only person involved. It was also determined that Brown died prior to their arrival.

Brown was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash. 

The vehicle, a 2007 Jeep SUV, sustained significant front and driver’s side damage and was considered totaled.

Route 27 (Wiscasset Road) in Boothbay was closed for about an hour and half while deputies investigated the crash. 

In addition to the Boothbay Fire Department, the sheriff’s office was assisted by members of the Edgecomb Fire Department with rerouting traffic around the scene.

Because the utility pole involved was broken, it is expected that utility crews would be working in the area for several hours to replace the pole and restore any lost services.