One Man Killed After Car Swerves to Avoid Deer

Two men were injured and one was killed on Tuesday after the vehicle they were in swerved to avoid hitting a deer. Investigators say speed appears to have been a factor.

Kennebec County Chief Deputy Ryan Reardon said in a press release that the accident happened just before five o'clock Tuesday evening on the Plains Road in Readfield. Three males in the car all had injuries and were transported to Central Maine Medical center.

Thor Ellis, 20 of Gardiner was driving the vehicle. Bradley Plevyak, age 19, was a passenger. They were both injured, suffering broken bones and internal injuries.

The other passenger, Alex Cruz, age 26 of Connecticut, was killed in the crash.The State Medical Examiner's office will conduct an autopsy to confirm cause of death.

Ellis reported that he was traveling north on the Plains Road and swerved to avoid hitting a deer. The vehicle spun out of control, striking a large boulder and shearing off a tree. The car finally came to rest on its roof.

The Maine State Police are investigating and Kennebec County Sheriff's deputies are also working on the case. Speed appears to have been a factor.