A Jay man died Monday afternoon when the truck he was driving ran into the rear of a tractor-trailer on Interstate 95 in Etna.

Maine State Police troopers said Joseph Lawler, 56, got trapped in the wreckage and died at the scene despite the efforts of six passers-by, including three nurses, who tried to administer first aid to him, according to a press release from Steve McCausland, spokesman for the state Department of Public Safety.

The tractor-trailer, which was loaded with pieces of granite, had just pulled into the travel lane after being stopped in the breakdown lane, the release said. The tractor-trailer was operated by Paul Bean Jr., 55, of Corinth.

“The collision took place at the top of a small hill at mile 165 in the southbound lane,” the release said. Much of the southbound traffic was detoured at the Etna exit, but dozens of vehicles were stuck on the highway for the 3½ hours it took for emergency crews to clear the scene. The crash was reported just after 2 p.m. and the road reopened about 6 p.m.

WT Rand Transport, of Brewer, owns the tractor-trailer; Lawler’s box truck was leased to Fred’s Coffee, according to police. Troopers are seeking witnesses to the crash, and ask that anyone who may have seen what happened to call state police in Bangor.

Amy Calder — 861-9247

acalder@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @AmyCalder17


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