Two Maine Men Killed in Separate Off-Road Crashes

Two Maine men are dead following two separate off-road vehicle crashes that happened over the weekend, according to the Maine Warden Service.

Officials say the first crash happened Friday afternoon at around 3 p.m. on Shore Lane in the town of Lovell.

According to wardens, 75-year-old Frank McBride of Lovell was operating a side-by-side ATV along a private dirt road when the vehicle left the roadway. Investigators say McBride veered off the road, crossed a residential driveway, struck a metal basketball pole, glanced off one tree, and then crashed head-on into another tree.

McBride died as a result of the crash.

The second fatal crash happened Sunday evening at around 7:15 p.m. on Palmer Pond Road in Mayfield, WGME reported.

Wardens say 43-year-old David Pooler of Waterville was found dead after crashing his dirt bike. According to investigators, Pooler had been riding at a high rate of speed on Palmer Pond Road when he lost control of the dirt bike and crashed.

The Maine Warden Service says Pooler was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Investigators believe speed appears to have been a contributing factor.

Both fatal crashes remain under investigation by the Maine Warden Service.

The incidents also serve as a reminder for ATV, side-by-side, and dirt bike riders to use caution, especially on private dirt roads and rural roadways where conditions can change quickly. Officials routinely urge riders to wear helmets and other protective gear, avoid excessive speed, and operate off-road vehicles responsibly.