A Maine Department of Transportation dump truck and a sedan collided on Route 27 in Edgecomb Friday, Oct. 30, sending two people to the hospital.
David C. Simpson, 43, of Scarborough, was driving a 2000 Nissan Maxima northbound on Boothbay Road with a 17-year-old passenger. Zachery D. Gilbert, 20, of Newcastle, was driving a 2007 International dump truck northbound behind the Maxima.
The dump truck is registered to Maine Department of Transportation Fleet Services, according to Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Rand Maker.
Simpson slowed to turn left onto Eddy Road, according to Maker. The DOT truck rear-ended the Simpson vehicle and pushed it a short distance north before it continued across the southbound lane, left the road, and struck a utility pole on the passenger side.
“It appears the DOT truck was probably following too closely,” Maker said.
The Wiscasset Ambulance Service transported Simpson and his passenger to Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick.
“I suspect (Simpson) had a concussion from the crash,” Maker said. The 17-year-old was complaining of back and shoulder pain. Both were believed to have been released by Saturday morning, Oct. 31.
Simpson was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash; his passenger was, according to Maker. One or more of the airbags in the car deployed.
Gilbert was not injured and the truck sustained very little damage, as only its plow gear made contact with the car. Gilbert was wearing a seat belt.
The accident occurred at highway speed, according to Maker.
The Edgecomb Fire Department, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, the Maine State Police, and the Wiscasset Ambulance Service responded to the scene.
DOT asked the Maine State Police to respond, while Maker asked Maine State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement to inspect the truck.