MASARDIS – Homes in the Masardis-Oxbow area along Route 11 were without power for more than four hours Thursday after a tractor-trailer truck went off the road, breaking two utility poles and downing electric lines.

Daniel Pickering, 21, of Sanford, the driver of the truck, was taken by ambulance to The Aroostook Medical Center at Presque Isle. He was treated for minor injuries and released.

The accident happened at about 11 a.m., two miles south of Masardis.

Maine State Police Trooper Robert Flynn said traffic was stopped in both directions for about an hour

The flatbed trailer and truck, owned by American Steel and Aluminum Corp. of Portland, was headed south. The driver swerved to avoid a small animal crossing the road.

The 18-wheeler left the road, struck and broke two utility poles.

Damage to the truck was estimated at $15,000. Damage to utility poles and lines was estimated at $5,000.