NEW GLOUCESTER – A trucker who blacked out, causing an accident that shut down an 11-mile stretch of the Maine Turnpike for hours, will have his license pulled pending a complete medical review, authorities said.

The recommendation is being forwarded to state officials, and the license will be suspended during the medical review, said Lt. Randall Nichols, who commands the Maine State Police barracks in South Portland.

The driver, Walter Gurney, 59, of Casco, has been checked out at a hospital but it remains unclear why he blacked out Tuesday.

Gurney was fine when he pulled over at the New Gloucester toll plaza to check out his rig, but he blacked out a mile later, Nichols said.

Witnesses reported that the truck carrying water treatment chemicals slowed down as if the driver was pulling to the side of the turnpike but then continued down an embankment and crashed into trees.