GOULDSBORO — Mechanical failure may be to blame for an accident earlier this week in which a commercial dump truck went off the road and into the woods off Route 186 in South Gouldsboro.
The driver sustained minor injuries, police reported.
On Wednesday, Nov. 17, Craig B. Clement was driving the Barbee Construction dump truck on Route 186 when he lost control of the vehicle, which crossed the state highway’s centerline, went off the road and plunged into the woods. The truck knocked down and was subsequently struck by and engulfed by some of the falling trees.
Reaching the scene, Gouldsboro Police Officer Landan Scott, Chief Patrick McNulty, Sgt. Adam Brackett and Gouldsboro Fire Chief Tate McLean secured the area with flashing lights and proceeded into the woods to locate the truck and driver.
Clement, who had a bruised knee and slight injury above his eye, was assisted out of the truck. He was assessed and treated by McLean but declined further medical attention.
At the wooded scene, Mike Pinkham of the Sullivan Fire Department and other volunteers helped clear the fallen debris both on and around the dump truck. Arriving on the scene, as a precaution, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection pumped out the truck’s remaining fuel in case of potential leaks and spillage due to the crash. Notified earlier of the accident, a Maine State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement inspector examined the truck for defective parts, determining the vehicle’s steering mechanism may have caused the accident. The vehicle was removed by Rolfe’s Towing.
Leave a Reply