Motorcyclist airlifted to Bangor hospital

Belfast crash involves police cruiser, motorcycle

Tue, 08/25/2015 - 9:45am

    BELFAST — At approximately 5:45 p.m., Aug. 24, Waldo County Dispatch Center received the report of a motor vehicle accident involving a Belfast Police cruiser and a motorcycle on the west side of the Belfast Veteran's Memorial Bridge.

    Sgt. Nicholas Oettinger and Deputy Wiley McVety, of the Waldo County Sheriff's Office, responded and determined that Sgt. Matthew Cook, of the Belfast Police Department, was operating a marked Belfast Police SUV and was traveling west across the bridge on Route 1.

    Cook observed a vehicle in the east bound lane of Route 1 that committed a traffic infraction, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

    “Cook activated his emergency lights and attempted to make a U-turn to pursue the offending vehicle,” the release said.

    Behind the police cruiser was by a Yamaha V-Star motorcycle operated by Mark Belleisle, 58, of Swanville. The motorcycle struck the driver's side of the cruiser while it was making the U-turn.

    Belleisle sustained broken bones as a result of the crash and was transported by helicopter to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.

    He is reported to be in stable condition as of Tuesday morning, Aug. 25.

    Maine State Trooper Pion is reconstructing the crash. The Waldo County Sheriff's Office is continuing the investigation and will release additional information as it continues.