Maine Man Left Critically Injured After Stopping Along Interstate To Help Motorist During Monday’s Storm

The snowstorm that swept through Maine on Monday made things tricky for motorists across the state, with multiple reports of cars and trucks off the road throughout the day.

It was one such event that led to a tragic accident on the interstate near Veazie Monday evening.

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Maine Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss says it was just after 7 PM, in the northbound lane of Interstate 95, that authorities say an 18-year-old woman had lost control of her car, due to the snow, and ended up landing her 2013 Kia Sorento in the median. A couple from Medford was passing by at the time of the incident and stopped to help the young woman, who by this point had gotten out of her vehicle and was standing behind a guardrail.

The 54-year-old man got out of his vehicle and followed the driver behind the guardrail to help, while his wife remained in the car and phoned 911.

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Moss says that's when things took a terrible turn for the worse.

"While both were outside their vehicles, they were struck by a passing vehicle operated by a 19-year-old female from Old Town, who lost control in the snowy conditions. Preliminary information suggests the man may have attempted to shield the young driver at the time of the crash. Both pedestrians were thrown down an embankment... The 54-year-old sustained serious injuries and remains in critical condition."

Both the driver of the Kia and the young woman who crashed into the pair suffered minor injuries and were taken to a nearby medical facility, where they received treatment.

While the incident is still under investigation, authorities believe the heavy snow and weather conditions played a factor in Monday's crash. There was no indication that speed or alcohol was involved.

Maine does have a strict "Move Over" law on the books that requires drivers who fail to make room for emergency vehicles and first responders to pay a fine of at minimum $350.But there is no indication that emergency responders had arrived yet on the scene when the secondary crash took place.