Lebanon crash leaves 4 injured
Three‑Car Crash Near Lebanon Leaves Woman Seriously Injured; Family Escapes Fire
A dramatic crash on Route 202 in Lebanon, Maine, left a young woman with serious injuries after a collision that set her vehicle ablaze and briefly trapped a father and daughter inside a burning Ford Expedition. The incident occurred on Saturday morning, prompting a swift emergency response from local law enforcement, fire crews, and medical teams.
At roughly 10:45 a.m., deputies from the York County Sheriff’s Office received multiple reports of a collision near mile marker 899 on Carl Broggi Highway (Route 202). When they arrived, they found a scene of wreckage and flames. A Chevy Silverado had been driven across the centerline into oncoming traffic, striking first a Jeep Wrangler and then a Ford Expedition that was occupied by a family.
The driver of the Silverado was 22‑year‑old Samantha Hobbs of North Berwick. She was ejected from the vehicle during the impact, sustaining serious injuries that required air‑lift to Portsmouth Hospital. While the exact extent of her injuries remains undisclosed, her condition is being monitored by medical staff.
Inside the Expedition sat the Galarza family. The driver was 50‑year‑old Kelly Galarza of Plymouth, Massachusetts; the passenger seat was occupied by her husband, Nestor Galarza, and their daughter. The vehicle caught fire as a result of the collision, but all occupants escaped the blaze. They were treated for non‑life‑threatening injuries at Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New Hampshire, and subsequently released.
The family was traveling with four pets—three dogs and a cat—all of whom were unharmed. Lebanon Animal Control secured the animals at the scene while the rest of the emergency response team worked to extinguish the fire.
Maine’s Department of Transportation immediately barricaded the highway to clear the wreckage and protect other motorists. Units from the Lebanon Fire Department, Maine State Police, North Berwick Rescue, and other local agencies coordinated medical care and firefighting efforts. The Maine State Police are continuing their investigation into the cause of the accident.
“The scene was chaotic, with a fire that had to be contained quickly,” said a spokesperson for the York County Sheriff’s Office. “All involved parties received prompt medical attention, and we are working to determine exactly what led to the collision.”
While investigators probe whether mechanical failure, driver error, or environmental factors contributed to the crash, officials have identified the primary factor as the Chevy Silverado’s driver crossing the median into oncoming traffic.
The incident underscores the importance of maintaining lane discipline on two‑lane highways and the risks posed by sudden vehicle ejections. It also highlights the critical role of coordinated emergency services in managing complex crash scenes involving fire, multiple vehicles, and pets.
Residents of Lebanon and surrounding communities have reported a sense of relief that, despite the severity of the injuries, everyone survived the ordeal. The crash remains under investigation, and authorities have urged anyone with additional information about the event to come forward.
