WATERVILLE $ A Waterville man was flown to a Portland hospital with head trauma Tuesday after the motorcycle he was driving collided with a car on College Avenue, according to police.

The motorcyclist, O'Neil Michaud, 76, was listed in critical condition at Maine Medical Center, a hospital spokesman said later, at 4 p.m.

The accident occurred at 12:11 p.m. near Eric's Restaurant, according to Deputy police Chief Charles Rumsey.

"Preliminary investigation indicates a vehicle was turning left out of the parking lot of Eric's," Rumsey said. "As he turned left out of the restaurant onto College Avenue, a vehicle in the northbound right-hand lane slowed down to allow him to make the turn and when the vehicle on College Avenue slowed down, the motorcycle in the left-hand northbound lane passed the car and actually struck the vehicle turning out of Eric's parking lot."

Michaud was thrown from his 2006 Honda motorcycle and into the road, Rumsey said.

"He wasn't wearing a helmet," he said.

Larry Phillips, 50, of Waterville, was not injured when the 1999 Ford Taurus he was driving out of Eric's parking lot was struck by the motorcycle, he said.

The vehicle that slowed down for the Taurus was not involved in the accident, Rumsey said.

Michaud was taken by Delta Ambulance to Thayer Unit, MaineGeneral Medical Center, after the crash and he was later LifeLighted to Maine Medical Center, he said.

The motorcycle was destroyed and minimal damage was done to the Taurus, according to Rumsey.

He said police took measurements and photographs at the scene and continue to investigate the accident.

The speed limit on that stretch of College Avenue is 35 m.p.h. and police do not have an estimate as to how fast the motorcycle was traveling, according to the deputy chief.

"There's no indication he (Michaud) was operating at an unsafe speed," he said.

Officer Michael Sellar is investigating the accident. The Fire Department responded to the scene and helped to make it safe, Rumsey said.

Amy Calder $ 861-9247
acalder@centralmaine.com