On September 23, at approximately 12:45 a.m., the Waldo County Sheriff's Office responded to a car crash on Route 1, near the end of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge in Prospect, where a 2006 Mercedes sedan went through a traffic light and hit rock.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Michael Soteres, 20, of Bucksport, was the driver. Four passengers were with him and they were all transported to hospitals. Some remain in serious condition, according the Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff’s Office said Sept. 26 that those in the car with Soteres included Joshua Larrabee, 18, of Prospect; Joseph French, 20, of Ellsworth; Everett Dalton, 20, of Bucksport; and Zachary Turcotte, 18, of Winterport.

The accident remains under investigation, and alcohol and speed are considered as possible factors in the crash, the Sheriff’s Office said in a Sept. 26 news release. Additional criminal charges are likely as the investigation continues, the release said.

Joseph French was arrested at the request of his probation officer, after being medically cleared, for committing a violation of his probation.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Soteres was traveling west on Route 1, when he failed to negotiate a left sweeping turn and crashed into rock. The vehicle sustained significant front end damage.

Four of the occupants (two by Life Flight and two by ambulance) were transported to Easter Maine Medical Center, in Bangor, with injuries. The one remaining occupant was transported to Waldo County General Hospital; the patient eventually was released.

Corporal Gregory Jones is the primary investigator and was assisted by Deputy Jeffery Rice, Penobscot Sheriff's Office, Stockton Springs Fire and Ambulance, Prospect Fire, Searsport Ambulance, Bucksport Ambulance and Life Flight of Maine.