An estimated 10 vehicles received damage after rocks from a locally owned masonry truck spilled out into the southbound lane on Interstate Rt. 95 in Biddeford early Wednesday morning last week.
Wire mesh holding in place a pile of rocks in the back of the truck broke free when the driver hit a bump in the roadway, according to Kathleen Carle, the manager of Jefferson-based masonry company JC Stone. Initial reports had estimated more vehicles had sustained damage, but the company estimates damage to roughly 10 cars.
Maine State Trooper Lance McCliesh said the incident occurred just minutes before the end of his shift at 6:50 a.m. on Oct 14. He counted at least 15 cars that had received damage ranging from flat tires to damage in their under carriages, adding that the Commercial Vehicle Unit determined a tie-down had broken.
“There were many flat tires, but no injuries,” McCliesh said.
Drivers following the company truck likely had difficulty seeing the rocks due to the rainy conditions and darkness, Carle said.
“It’s the first time anything like that has happened in 13 years here,” she said.
The business manager added she was happy to hear no one was injured.
“All the drivers did a really good job maintaining control of their cars and trying to get out of the roadway,” McCliesh said.
He said highway crews cleared the road in about an hour and a half.
