POTSDAM -- Two people were hospitalized, one taken by medevac helicopter to Burlington, following a rear-end collision on Maple Street today.

Traffic on Maple Street had to be stopped for a time, according to police.

Taylor D. Anson, 19, of Potsdam, the driver of one of the vehicles, was taken by Potsdam Rescue directly to Potsdam Airport to be flown by helicopter to Fletcher-Allen Medical Center in Burlington.

Chelsea A. Ashley, 18, Madrid, front seat passenger in Anson's car, was taken by Potsdam Rescue to Canton-Potsdam Hospital.

The Potsdam Police Department said they received several reports in quick succession at 11:47 a.m. of an accident on Maple Street in front of Eben's Hearth.

Police said that a van being driven by Shawn R. Pike, 35, of Nicholville, was stopped in the left westbound lane waiting to turn left into the Cheel Arena Access Road entrance to Clarkson University when a four-door Ford Focus operated by Anson rear-ended the van.

There was extensive damage to both vehicles, and all the airbags in Anson's car -- driver, passenger, curtain -- had deployed.

Everyone had been wearing their set belts, police said.

Traffic on Maple Street was stopped temporarily, then reduced to one travel lane for about 45 minutes.

The St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department assisted at the scene and the Potsdam Fire Department assisted with traffic control.

Speed and following too closely were factors in the impact, and charges are pending, police said.