WASHINGTON – Traffic headed east on Route 17 had a tough road to travel Thursday, with the sun’s glare so strong that it caused three separate rear-end accidents but only minor injuries. All of the crashes occurred around 7:30 a.m., keeping Maine State Police and Knox County sheriff’s deputies busy.

In the first crash, Amy Carr, 22, of Thomaston was driving a 2001 Kia, traveling behind a 1986 Dodge van driven by Frederick Fagin, 61, of Coopers Mills. Fagin was slowing in traffic because of the sun and glare from icy trees, Trooper Greg Stevens said. Carr did not see Fagin’s vehicle because of the sun and struck the rear of Fagin’s van.

There were no injuries or charges from the accident, Stevens said. Carr’s vehicle sustained $3,000 damage, while Fagin’s van sustained none.

Within a few minutes, a second accident occurred when the vehicles spotted the first crash. Carol Boucher, 33, of Winthrop was driving a 1993 Geo when she slowed for the accident and pulled toward the breakdown lane, Trooper Ryan Brockway said.

A 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Katherine Bushey, 23, of Augusta saw the accident, too, Brockway said, and pulled over into the breakdown lane but rear-ended Boucher’s car. Boucher’s car sustained $2,500 damage and Bushey’s vehicle $4,500 damage, he said, noting there were no charges filed. Boucher was treated at Penobscot Bay Medical Center, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

The third crash, which occurred about 7:35 a.m., was investigated by Knox County Deputy Matthew Elwell.

William L. Sells, 70, of Union was slowing for the accidents in front of him and a 1996 Chevrolet behind him struck his vehicle in the rear. The driver of the Chevrolet, Karen A. Taylor, 21, of Washington, did not see Sells’ vehicle because of the sun. Sells was treated at Penobscot Bay Medical Center, according to a spokeswoman.

Sells’ vehicle sustained $1,000 damage, while Taylor’s car sustained $2,000 damage.