South Portland police have identified the Southern Maine Community College students involved in a fatal single-car crash earlier this week.
Patrick Donaghue, 20, of Wilton, was a passenger in the car and died as a result of the crash. The driver was William Blanchard, 18, of Gorham. He survived.
Police said Blanchard called them around 9:21 p.m. Monday to report the crash near the entrance to Bug Light Park near the Portland Breakwater Lighthouse. The car reportedly left the road and crashed through a wooden guardrail before stopping in the grass in the park. Speed appeared to be a factor in the crash, police said.
Donaghue was unconscious inside the car when first responders arrived. He was pronounced dead about 3:30 a.m. at Maine Medical Center in Portland.
South Portland Detective Sgt. Christopher Todd said this week that the driver has been cooperative, but Todd declined to say whether the young man consented to give blood or breath samples. It is standard practice statewide in all fatal motor vehicle crashes to test any driver involved for the presence of alcohol or drugs.
Todd said Friday that Maine State Police are helping with the reconstruction, and a vehicle autopsy is anticipated. Once the investigation is finished, the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office will make the final decision about whether Blanchard will face criminal charges.
Posts from a wooden guardrail are strewn at the entrance to Bug Light Park in South Portland, where 20-year-old Patrick Donaghue of Wilton was fatally injured in a single-vehicle crash Monday night. (South Portland police photo)
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