Poland, ME — February 18, 2025, Heather Keniston was killed following a car accident that occurred at around 2:30 P.M. on Bakerstown Road.

An investigation is underway into a car accident that left one person dead during the afternoon hours of February 18th. According to official reports, Heather Keniston was travelling in a Mazda CX-5 on Bakerstown Rd. in the eastbound lanes, when for unknown reasons the vehicle struck a snowdrift causing the vehicle to lose control and cross into the westbound lanes where its struck a Ford pickup.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that Keniston had sustained fatal injuries and she was pronounced deceased. At this time there has been no further information released from the accident, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released by authorities in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about a crash like this, my first thought is that I hope investigators can provide clear answers for the loved ones of those involved. While initial reports indicate that the vehicle struck a snowdrift, causing it to lose control, experience has shown that these incidents are often more complex than they first appear. To truly understand what happened, three critical questions must be asked.

First, have authorities thoroughly investigated the crash? Law enforcement will typically document the scene, assess road conditions, and determine whether factors like visibility, weather, or traffic conditions contributed to the crash. However, deeper analysis is often necessary. Was the snowdrift in a location where drivers would reasonably expect it, or was it a hazard that should have been cleared? Were there other contributing factors, such as ice, wind, or poor road maintenance? A full accident reconstruction could help determine whether external conditions played a role.

Second, has anyone looked into the possibility of a vehicle defect? When a vehicle loses control, many assume it’s solely due to road conditions, but mechanical failures—such as brake malfunctions, steering issues, or stability control failures—can also contribute. Modern vehicles are designed with systems to help drivers maintain control in slippery conditions, so it’s important to determine whether those systems functioned as expected. If the vehicle is quickly scrapped or repaired, key evidence may be lost before investigators have a chance to determine if a defect played a role.

Third, has all electronic data relating to the crash been collected? The electronic control module (ECM) in the Mazda may contain valuable data, such as speed, braking efforts, and steering input in the moments before the crash. Additionally, nearby traffic or surveillance cameras might have captured footage of the incident, providing more clarity on what happened. If this evidence isn’t preserved quickly, it may be lost, making it much harder to determine exactly what led to the crash.

At the end of the day, the family of the person involved deserves clear answers. If the official investigation leaves any gaps, independent experts may be needed to ensure that every possible factor is considered. Whether the cause was environmental, mechanical, or something else entirely, the community owes it to those affected to make sure all available evidence is carefully examined.