AUGUSTA — Six people escaped serious injury after a frightening four-car accident snarled Interstate 95 traffic in both directions for about an hour Friday.
Traffic was brought to a standstill as rescuers tended to the injured in a crash that occurred at 2:18 p.m. near Exit 109.
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Maine State Police Trooper Rick Moody said the incident occurred when a red Mercury Mountaineer sport utility vehicle being driven north by Kathy Williams, 44, of Windham, who was with her daughter, Keisha Williams, 16, was passing a gold Buick LeSabre being driven by Ronny Perrault, 69, of Waterville, who was with his wife, Rose Perrault.
Moody said the two vehicles made contact, sending the Williamses’ car tumbling into the southbound lanes of I-95.
A sport utility vehicle approaching in the southbound lanes — operated by Eric Loman, 29, of Ansonia, Conn. — swerved to avoid the Williams vehicle, rolled, and came to a rest upside-down in a ditch near Exit 109, where Loman became entrapped.
Rescuers extricated him. He was transported to MaineGeneral Medical Center with minor injuries, Moody said.
Meanwhile, the northbound Perrault vehicle came away from the impact with the Williams vehicle and struck the rear of a white Buick being driven northbound by Christos Karagiannes, 86, of Augusta.
The Williamses were transported to MaineGeneral Medical Center with minor injuries, Moody said. Karagiannes and the Perraults were treated at the scene and released.
The accident was still under investigation Friday. Moody said he was trying to determine whether it was the Williams vehicle or the Perrault vehicle that initiated contact. No charges were anticipated.
Southbound traffic was stopped until shortly after 3 p.m., when the Williams vehicle — which came to rest across both travel lanes — was removed. Northbound traffic continued to roll in the passing lane throughout the rescue effort.
Traffic backed up as far as the eye could see in both directions while the rescue effort was unfolding. State and Augusta police and Augusta Fire and Rescue officers responded.
Staff Writers Craig Crosby and Bob Mentzinger contributed to this report.
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