ELLSWORTH — A young Ellsworth man died when his car went off the road and struck several trees Friday evening in Surry.
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department investigated the accident, which was not discovered until Saturday morning.
Deputy Rob Morang said Quinlan was traveling in a northerly direction on Newbury Neck Road when he lost control of the car, which went off the road and struck several trees. The collision caused significant damage to the driver’s side door, Morang said. Quinlan was wearing his seat belt.
The accident occurred shortly after 9 p.m. Friday. A passer-by notified deputies of the accident just after 7 a.m. Saturday.
Morang said the car was partially obscured by the trees, which may be why the crashed car wasn’t discovered until morning.
Quinlan had worked at the McDonald’s on High Street in Ellsworth since he was 14.
His co-workers are struggling to handle their loss and many attended a grieving session at the store Sunday morning.
Doug and Linda Quagliaroli, who own the restaurant, brought in counselors to talk with the staff.
“When I walked in there on Saturday I just couldn’t believe the number of people and how deeply it affected each and every one of them,” said Doug Quagliaroli. “We spent quite a bit of time down there. Sending people home because they were just so upset. They were just devastated.”
“He was one of our family,” said Quagliaroli. “It was very humbling sitting in the meeting and seeing the impact he had on each individual.”
“For an 18-year-old, the impact he had on so many lives is just unbelievable,” said Quagliaroli. “He just knew how to make you smile.”