UPDATE: Lewiston Man Sentenced in Fatal 2025 Crash

UPDATE April 24, 2026:

Blaze Small has been sentenced to 21 years in prison, with all but 5.5 years suspended and four years of probation, following a deadly motor vehicle crash in Lewiston that claimed the life of a 28-year-old woman.

On May 21, 2025, Lewiston Police responded to a serious crash at 816 Webster Road involving a 2017 BMW that left the roadway and struck a residence, causing extensive damage. Small, the operator of the vehicle, lost control and became trapped inside. His front-seat passenger, Natasha Thoits, 28, was pronounced deceased at the scene. A second passenger sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Central Maine Medical Center.

Following a comprehensive investigation by the Lewiston Police Department—including patrol officers, the Criminal Investigations Division, and accident reconstruction experts—in coordination with the Androscoggin County District Attorney’s Office, Small was held accountable in court.

On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, Small was sentenced in Androscoggin County Superior Court and taken into custody immediately. He was convicted of the following charges:
Manslaughter (Class A): 21 years, with all but 5.5 years suspended, followed by 4 years of probation
Aggravated OUI (Class B – Death): 5 years concurrent, $2,100 fine, 8-year license suspension
Aggravated OUI (Class C – Serious Bodily Injury): 5 years concurrent, $2,100 fine, 6-year license suspension
Aggravated Driving to Endanger (Class C): 5 years concurrent, $575 fine, 2-year license suspension
Criminal Speed (Class E): 6 months concurrent (103 mph in a 35 mph zone)
Reckless Conduct (Class C): 5 years, all suspended, 2 years probation (consecutive)

Additional conditions of probation will apply upon his release. During the sentencing hearing, families of the victims expressed appreciation for the thorough work of the Lewiston Police Department.

UPDATE July 3, 2025: 25-year-old Blaze Smalls of Lewiston has been arrested and charged with manslaughter and OUI in connection to an incident in May.

Lewiston Police say Smalls crashed into a single-family home on Webster Street. A passenger, 28-year-old Natasha Thoits of Lewiston, died at the scene.

No one in the home was injured.

#UPDATE: Officials say the driver of a vehicle that crashed into a Lewiston home and killed a woman has been charged with manslaughter. https://t.co/Ik9DFNBUCI

— CBS 13 News (@WGME) July 3, 2025

28-year-old Natasha Thoits of Lewiston died early this morning, May 21, in a serious motor vehicle crash at 816 Webster Street.

Officials say speed and impairment were contributing factors in the crash.

From the Lewiston Police Department:

Upon arrival, officers discovered that a 2017 BMW had driven into a single-family home at that address. Several occupants were trapped inside the vehicle and required extrication. One passenger, identified as 28-year-old Natasha Thoits of Lewiston, was pronounced deceased at the scene upon removal from the vehicle. The driver, identified as 25-year-old Blaze Small, also of Lewiston, suffered minor injuries. A third passenger sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Central Maine Medical Center. A fourth passenger, described as a male, fled the scene on foot prior to police arrival. The Lewiston Police Department’s Accident Reconstruction Team is actively investigating the incident. Preliminary findings indicate that both speed and impairment were contributing factors in the crash. Further updates will be provided as the investigation continues.

Anyone with information regarding the fourth passenger or the incident is encouraged to contact Detective Aaron Schmitz at aschmitz@lewistonmaine.gov.