Tractor Accident in Holmes Falls

On 9-24-2009 at approximately 1030 hours the Washington County Sheriffs Office received a report of a serious tractor accident in the area of Holmes Falls on the Machias River in Northfield. Upon responding an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office found that a John Deer Farm tractor had been traveling south along the Bear Brook Road. Upon crossing the bridge at Holmes Falls the male operator lost control of the tractor. The tractor struck the side of the bridge and rolled into the Machias River. Upon impact the driver was entrapped under the tractor and was killed. The operator of the tractor was identified as Mr. Johnathan Brock 21 years old from Addison, Maine. Mr. Brock was working for Cherryfield Foods Inc., who is the owner of the equipment. The investigation suggests that speed might be a factor in the accident. Agencies that assisted the Sheriff’s Office included the Maine Marine Patrol, the Maine Warden Service, Maine State Police, the Maine Forest Service, Columbia Fire Department, and Pleasant River Ambulance. The accident remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office.

Large Scale Marijuana Growing Operation

The Washington County Sheriff's Office Drug Task Force/MDEA, joined by Federal Border Patrol, the Maine State Police, the Maine Warden Service, The Maine Forest Service, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office are conducting an investigation of a large-scale marijuana growing operation in the area of Horse Lake in Township #37.The investigation remains active and no additional information will be forthcoming before Wednesday afternoon (9-23). The Point of Contact for all media calls on this event will be forwarded to Sheriff Donnie Smith 255-4422 or MDEA Commander Darrell Crandall at 557-0510.

Sheriff’s Deputies responded to this incident in a support role for the operation.

Security issues were actively addressed by all departments until early evening where

the scene(s) were secured until daylight could permit further ground operations.

Sheriff Donnie Smith