Thursday, January 17, 2008

Worst Logging Truck Nightmare

Many Mainers who have driven the roads near northern woods in our state know to stay well away from logging trucks on the back roads, though we unavoidably find ourselves driving near them on larger roads. There is always a certain amount of worry that something will go wrong with their load or the driver's field of vision (which we allow to ourselves is a paranoid fantasy), even in broad daylight on a good solid road when paired with them.

WMTW-TV8 reported this morning on a terrible hit-and-run which happened just after 5pm on Wednesday night (yesterday) which is the result of a Maine driver's worst nightmare:
NEW VINEYARD, Maine -- ...According to investigators, the truck was traveling along Route 27, about 3 miles north of Farmington, when it lost its load and crushed a car in the oncoming lane, touching off a multi-vehicle collision.

The driver of the car was killed, while two people in a second vehicle suffered minor injuries.

Police said the driver of the lumber truck did not stop and left the scene.

[Source]
From WCSH-6, more info, including a number to call if you have any information:
They say the falling lumber struck two cars in the opposite lane from the southbound truck. A man alone in one of the cars was killed. His identity has not been made public.

The driver of the second car, Katherine Jones, and her passenger were checked by ambulance personnel and released at the scene. Both vehicles were a total loss.

The truck driver did not stop at the scene, and is now being sought. Anyone who may have witnessed the accident is asked to call the Sheriff's Dept. at 1-800-773-2680.

[Source]

2 comments:

Neponset River Bridge Dig said...

Why do these logging truck drivers have to always drive so fast on such winding back roads- we have all seen Pet Sematary right?

Anonymous said...

Yeah, my Grampa worked as a logging truck driver for a good 40 years & he finally decided to retire when his long-time buddy & fellow driver spilled a load & was killed right in front of him (he was following in his truck). I live right on the main drag of Rt. 1 & when logging trucks fly by my house at a good 70 mph, I hold my breath thinking, "Oh geez, if they spill their load right now, they could easily wipe out our entire living room & everyone in it!" ~gulp~

My condolences to those who lost loved ones in this horrific accident. ~hugs~