Driver, passengers OK after vehicle hits moose

AMITY – A Danforth man and his two passengers walked away from the scene of an accident with only bumps and bruises after their vehicle hit a moose Wednesday evening.

Maine State Police Sgt. Julie Bergan said Thursday that the accident happened at 4:45 p.m.

Andrew Mills, 22, of Danforth was headed north on U.S. Route 1 in his 1998 Jeep SUV when the accident occurred, according to Bergan. He was accompanied by two passengers.

“The moose walked into the road and he tried to avoid it,” Bergan said. “But the moose changed directions and walked right into his path.”

Mills and his passengers all were wearing seat belts and complained at the accident scene of bruises and abrasions. They did not require medical treatment, Bergan said.

The moose was killed.

Mills’ vehicle had an estimated $5,000 in damage.

State police Trooper Tim Saucier investigated the incident.

Police across the state are urging motorists to be on the lookout for moose and deer as they become more prevalent on the state’s roadways.

There were three vehicle collisions with moose north of Medway on Interstate 95 last week, one of which killed a driver and injured a passenger, police said.

Three men escaped serious injury on Tuesday when the two cars they were in struck two moose on the Maine Turnpike.

If a collision is imminent, police say, hitting the animal at an angle likely will deflect the body away from the passenger compartment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.