Driver injured when van rolls over, strikes ledges in Etna

ETNA – A man was injured late Friday night when the van he was driving stuck some ledges and rolled over on Route 2.

Brian Poirier, 23, whose last known address was Bangor, was traveling toward Newport around 11:30 p.m. when his vehicle crossed the yellow line and struck a ledge, ripping off part of the axle and one of his tires.

The van rolled over and struck the ledges again before coming to a stop.

A neighbor heard someone hollering for help and called 911.

“We found him sitting in the back there, just like he was sitting on the tailgate, Etna Fire Chief Rick Goodell said Friday, pointing to the back of the van. The rear door was torn off in the crash.

Poirier was the only occupant of the vehicle, and he suffered moderate injuries to his head and a knee, Goodell said.

“Those were the injuries that were obvious,” the fire chief said.

The cause of the accident was unknown, but Goodell said alcohol didn’t appear to be a factor. He was unsure whether Poirier was wearing a seat belt.

Poirier was taken to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.

Etna Fire and Rescue, Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department and Newport Police went to the accident scene. The road was blocked for about half an hour while emergency crews cleaned up the scene.