Tractor-trailer crash ties up I-95 for hours

AUGUSTA – A tractor-trailer crossed the median strip and both northbound lanes before landing on its side in the breakdown lane of Interstate 95 near the Augusta Civic Center early Wednesday morning, according to state police.

The driver, Gregg Smallwood, 42, of Patten, climbed out of his cab just before it caught fire. He had minor injuries and did not require immediate medical attention.

Smallwood told Trooper David Pelletier he lost control of the vehicle after hitting a pothole in the southbound lane.

Three other vehicles hit debris from the truck.

A Subaru driven by Klaas Hotham, 70, of Gardiner ended up in the median. A tractor-trailer driven by George Andrews, 70, of Oneida, N.Y., landed on a guardrail, and a tractor-trailer driven by Marc Haley, 42, of Baileyville pulled into the breakdown lane. None of the drivers reported injuries.

All of the rigs were empty.

The northbound lane of the interstate was closed from 4 to 7:30 a.m. when one lane was reopened. The second lane opened at 3 p.m. after workers had cleared wreckage and repaired guardrails.