Steuben Fatal Vehicle Crash

The Washington County Sheriff's Office covered a double fatal vehicle crash on Us-rt# 1 in Steuben on the evening of August 25, 2009. Details of the crash are: At 9:34 pm on August 25, 2009 the Washington County Regional Communication Center in Machias received multiple 9-1-1 calls of a serious 2 vehicle traffic crash in the Town of Steuben on Us-rt# 1. Sergeant Randy Perry arrived at the 2 vehicle crash at the intersection of Us-rt#1 and the East Side Road in Steuben. Two sets of JAWS were used from Steuben Fire and Cherryfield Fire Departments to extricate the victims.

Zachary Dean, 17 yoa from Columbia Falls, Maine was driving a 2001, Chevy, Cavalier on the East Side Road in Steuben at a high rate of speed headed for the intersection of Us-rt#1. Mr Dean did not stop for the Stop sign at the intersection of Us-rt#1 and the East Side Road and drove into the path of Brooke Burgess, 31 yoa, from Steuben, Maine operating a 2003, Jeep, Liberty. Zachary Dean and one of his passengers Morgan Parritt, 15 yoa, from Steuben died as a result of the crash.

Another 12 yoa female passenger in Mr Deans vehicle was injured in the crash and is being treated for injuries.

Brooke Burgess was traveling with her husband and daughter at the time of the crash and did not receive injuries.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the following agencies; The Maine State Police; Hancock County Sheriff's Office; Machias Police Department: Steuben Fire Department; Cherryfield Fire Department; Cherryfield Ambulance Service; Milbridge Ambulance Service; Pleasant River Ambulance Service; County Ambulance Service;

Mr. Tibbetts, a retired State Trooper, former Washington County Sheriff and a former State Representative charged

On 8-13-2009 at approximately 2039 hours the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of Reckless Conduct with a Firearm in Township 19 MD.

After an investigation by Sgt. Randy Perry of the Washington County Sheriff's Office he found that an armed confrontation had taken place on a dead end road on the Barrens in Columbia.

Mr. Kevin Merritt, Mrs. Melinda Church, and her two children ages four and seven, were riding along that road when Mr. Joseph Tibbetts stopped them.

A brief face-to-face exchange followed. During the exchange between the parties Mr. Tibbetts was reported to have displayed a firearm.

The couple and their children left the area and called 911.

The investigation progressed over the next few days.

On 8-17-2009 an arrest warrant was issued for Mr. Tibbetts, Date of birth, 07/09/1948, of Columbia, Maine.

Mr. Tibbetts ,a retired State Trooper, former Washington County Sheriff and a former State Representative was charged with Criminal Threatening with a Dangerous Weapon Class C and Threatening Display of a Weapon Class D.

On the afternoon of 8-17-2009 Mr. Tibbetts was placed under arrest by Sgt. Randy Perry of the Washington County Sheriff's Office and Trooper Miles Carpenter of the Maine State Police.

He was arrested without incident and transported to the Washington County Jail where he was released on $5,000.00 unsecured cash bail.

Sheriff Donnie Smith

Washington County

Sheriff's Office