Both Lanes of Maine Turnpike Are Clear After Truck Crash

Both lanes of the Maine Turnpike in Wells are open after an early morning tractor-trailer crash slowed both the north-and-southbound sides.

Was the Driver Hurt?

The crash at mile marker 22 on the Turnpike sent the driver, Larry Beauregard, 73, of Dunbarton, New Hampshire to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The tractor trailer is owned by the Granite Group.

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What Happened?

Maine State Police Troopers responded to the crash that happened at approximately 2:20 Tuesday morning. An initial investigation into the circumstances indicates the driver was traveling southbound in the rain when he lost control of the tractor-trailer. The rig went off the roadway to the left and became intertwined with the guardrail, causing disabling damage to the truck. This resulted in the tractor-trailer blocking the two passing lanes southbound and two of the passing lanes northbound. The Maine Department of Public Safety spokesperson says the trailer was mostly empty, but was carrying some plumbing supplies, which became strewn across the northbound lanes.

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How is Traffic Being Affected?

While traffic in both directions was slowed for the early morning hours, officials say the road is now cleared and traffic is flowing smoothly.  The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

We'll update this story as more details become available.