Hunters find body of missing trucker

PITTSFIELD – The body of a missing 42-year-old Oakfield man was found Wednesday about two-tenths of a mile from the northbound interstate rest area where he had abandoned his tractor-trailer more than a week ago.

Clark MacDonald’s body was discovered by a deer hunter at about 11:20 a.m. in a densely-wooded area off the Barney Cianchette Road. He had hanged himself, according to Stephen McCausland, public safety spokesman.

The deer hunter, who was traveling on an all-terrain vehicle, returned home to call police. McCausland said three state police officers, three detectives, three game wardens, and an assistant state medical examiner responded to the scene. MacDonald’s wallet and identification were found on his body. No suicide note was left behind, and there was no foul play involved, McCausland said.

A search for MacDonald began on Nov. 8 when the tractor-trailer he was driving for the Houlton-based Little Rock Express was found abandoned at the Interstate 95 rest area in Pittsfield. The long-haul trucker had been last seen in Hermon on Nov. 8 as he left for Massachusetts to deliver what he thought was a trailer load of potatoes.

Dave Britton, co-owner of Little Rock Express, said last weekend that MacDonald had left Houlton about 8 p.m. Tuesday night for Dysart’s truck stop in Hermon where he was to pick up a trailer filled with potatoes. Because of mechanical problems, MacDonald changed tractors before he hooked up to the trailer. A mistake occurred and MacDonald hooked up an empty trailer and left Bangor at 9:15 a.m.

From receipts police found inside the abandoned truck, MacDonald had driven through the toll booth in Gardiner and later had turned around and became northbound, ending at the Pittsfield rest area. There is speculation that MacDonald may have realized then that he had the wrong trailer.

A search of the rest area by police and wardens accompanied by trained search and cadaver dogs failed to turn up any leads, Maine State Police Trooper Jeffery Beach said Sunday. He said the truck was examined by state police, MacDonald’s financial records were examined, hospitals and hotels in the state were contacted, and family and friends were called, but no clues were found about MacDonald’s whereabouts.

MacDonald’s mother, Lois MacDonald, said Sunday that her son was very responsible as far as his work was concerned but he had been depressed over a relationship.