SAD 61 bus collides with vehicle

NAPLES — A SAD 61 school bus, carrying 31 children (grades K-5), crashed into the back end of a car attempting to turn into Lake Region Convenience Center Monday morning.

No injuries were reported, according to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.

CCSO deputies along with Naples Fire/EMS were dispatched to the crash scene at 8:26 a.m. Amelia Harmon, 35, of Naples was waiting to turn left into Lake Region Convenience in a 2009 Subaru Outback. She was carrying two passengers — her 4-year-old son and Joseph Begin, 38, also of Naples. 

Susan McMahon, 72, of Naples was operating a 2010 Thomas School bus registered to SAD 61/Lake Region School District and struck the Subaru from behind. As a result of the collision, the Subaru entered the parking lot of Lake Region Convenience, striking a third vehicle — a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer registered to Jennifer Knight, 35, of Casco. The Trailblazer was unoccupied at the time of the crash. 

The Subaru struck the parked Chevy, continued, and struck a propane rack, forcing it through the exterior wall of the Lake Region Convenience store, causing significant damage to the store. No injuries were reported inside the store. 

All parties were evaluated on scene. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Speed and alcohol were not factors of the crash, CCSO reported.