Baldacci sister to undergo surgery Victim of accident ‘grateful’ she’s alive

BANGOR – Gov. John Baldacci said Wednesday that his youngest sister is thankful she is alive but faces a “long road to recovery” after she was seriously injured Tuesday in a car accident.

Lisa Baldacci, 42, of Bangor is expected to undergo surgery this week for injuries she suffered when a tractor-trailer collided with her 1995 Mazda Miata convertible on Interstate 95 in Bangor, sending her off the road and into a granite embankment.

The driver of the truck, Francis Matte, 25, of Quebec, was not injured, according to police.

Baldacci, the second-youngest of eight in the Baldacci family, suffered fractures to her neck and shoulder as well as one of her ankles, according to police and the governor.

“She was very seriously injured, but she’s very strong and she’s grateful that she survived a terrible collision,” the governor said as he left an appearance on Maine Public Radio and headed to visit his sister at Eastern Maine Medical Center early Wednesday afternoon.

After the visit, the second of the day for the governor, Baldacci underscored his sister’s determination to deal with what lies ahead.

“It will be a long road to recovery, but she’s headed down that path and she’s very determined,” Baldacci said by phone.

The accident occurred about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in the southbound lane of Interstate 95 near the Union Street off-ramp.

Apparently, Matte, driving a truck owned by S.G.T. 2000 Inc. of Quebec, was trying to change lanes and didn’t see Baldacci’s car in his blind spot.

The truck collided with her car, spinning it around. The car then slid underneath the truck and ended up on an embankment, Maine State Police Trooper Dan Ryan said.

Lisa Baldacci is a native of Bangor and a graduate of Boston College Law School. She previously served as deputy general counsel in the Navy’s Office of Manpower and Reserve Affairs.

BDN reporter Eric Russell contributed to this report.