Electric bike rider in critical condition after accident in Fort Kent

FORT KENT, Maine – A Fort Kent man is in critical condition following a crash involving a motor vehicle and an electric bicycle Thursday morning.

According to Fort Kent Police Chief Michael DeLena, Lonnie Charette, 65, was riding an e-bike southbound on Market Street around 10:10 a.m. when the accident occurred. Ian Bourgoin, 37, of St. Francis was driving a 2017 Dodge Caravan and entered the roadway in front of Charette.

“Charette dropped the bike to avoid the collision but slid into the vehicle driven by Bourgoin,” DeLena said.

Police said Charette was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. Charette was taken to Northern Maine Medical Center with serious injuries and is in critical condition. Bourgoin was not injured.

Market Street was temporarily closed during the investigation. Police were assisted by Fort Kent Fire and Rescue, Ambulance Service and Presque Isle Police Department Crash Reconstructionist Sgt. Kyle White.

Sergeant. Cole Pelletier of the Fort Kent Police Department is the lead investigator on this case.

Police said there are no significant contributing factors at this time.