TOPSHAM — Two women suffered serious injuries when their cars crashed head-on Aug. 14 on Route 196.

Ashlee A. Cleveland, 23, of Durham, was headed westbound on Route 196 near the intersection with Old Lisbon Road when the 1995 Saturn SL she was driving crossed the center line and collided head-on with a 2004 Suzuki Vitara driven by 51-year-old Lori J. Gates of Lisbon just before 7:30 a.m., according to a release from the Topsham Police Department.

Cleveland, who was taken by LifeFlight of Maine helicopter to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, was listed in critical condition at 1 p.m., according to a hospital spokesman.

Gates, who suffered what Topsham Police Chief Christopher Lewis described as “life-threatening injuries,” was taken to CMMC by Lisbon ambulance. Her condition was not available, according to the spokesman.

Topsham firefighters extricated both women from their vehicles.

CMMC reported Gates to be in good condition on Wednesday, but could not release information on Cleveland as requested by her family.

Route 196 was closed for about four hours while the collision was reconstructed. Bath Police Department Detective Andrew Booth and Maine State Police Trooper Angela Porter continued to investigate at the scene Thursday afternoon.

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Two women, one from Durham and one from Lisbon, suffered serious injuries when their cars crashed head-on Thursday morning, Aug. 14, on Route 196.


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