Fatal Hayride Crash in Maine Kills Teen, Injures 20

MECHANIC FALLS, Maine (AP) — Investigators are blaming a mechanical problem for the Halloween-themed hayride crash that left a Maine teenager dead and more than 20 other people injured.

The state fire marshal's office says investigators are trying to figure out exactly why the Jeep towing the hay wagon wouldn't stop. The wagon careened down a hill in the woods and struck a tree Saturday night.

Investigators are also looking into whether the weight of the wagon and the people aboard contributed to the mechanical problem.

Seventeen-year-old Cassidy Charette of Oakland was killed in the crash. Sgt. Joel Davis of the fire marshal's office says she was with a group of friends who travel to the farm in Mechanic Falls every autumn.

Several other of the injured remain hospitalized. Their injuries are not considered life-threatening.

(Story by: Patrick Whittle, The Associated Press)