Three hurt in 6-vehicle pileup on interstate

BANGOR – A six-car pileup on Interstate 395 slowed traffic wfor nearly an hour Thursday afternoon and caused minor injuries to several motorists.

Trooper Kyle Willette with the Maine State Police said a white commercial vehicle with a flatbed did not stop in time when slowing down in traffic where I-395 ends near the Howard Johnson motel on the Odlin Road.

A black Mazda van slammed into the rear of the vehicle, causing a chain reaction that resulted in four other vehicles piling up.

Other than the Mazda and the commercial vehicle, the other vehicles involved included a green Toyota pickup, a Ford Ranger, a small gray pickup and a red truck. All vehicles had considerable damage.

Injuries were not life-threatening, but three injured people were taken to Eastern Maine Medical Center.

Mark Roe, 18, whose hometown was not known, received lacerations to the head. Cindy Lee Maynard, age and hometown not known, complained of head pain. A 16-year-old girl, whose name was not released, was taken to EMMC with mouth injuries, including several knocked-out teeth.

Roe was treated and released. Maynard was still undergoing evaluation at EMMC as of 8:30 p.m. Thursday. The 16-year-old’s condition was not known.

The pileup occurred in an area that is undergoing construction. Willette said state police have received many complaints about motorists driving irresponsibly in construction areas on I-95 and I-395.

“This happens quite frequently,” said Willette. “People don’t yield. People don’t pay attention. Every time there’s construction these things happen. People really need to be more responsible when driving through construction areas.”