A single car crash closed part of New Portland Road in Gorham for six hours during the Monday morning rush hour.

Gorham Police said the driver, Amber Brown, 20, of Gorham, didn’t sustain injuries when her gray, four-door Chevy rolled over, landed in a ditch and snapped a utility pole at 5:35 a.m.

“She saw an animal in the roadway and swerved to avoid it,” Gorham Police Chief Ron Shepard said Tuesday.

Brown wasn’t taken to a hospital. “She wasn’t hurt,” said Gorham Deputy Fire Chief Ken Fickett at the scene.

Utility workers stabilized the broken pole before the car could be hauled away and the pole replaced. Tow truck operator Matt Wyman of Wyman’s Auto Body in Gorham believed the car was totaled.

Harry Chapman, who lives near the accident scene, was awakened by the crash. Chapman heard the squeal of brakes and two bangs.

Chapman rushed to the scene where two men were already helping the woman from the car. Chapman assisted Brown up the bank to the road.

Brown was alone in the car that was traveling east towards Westbrook. The crash occurred between Toppan Drive and Elkins Road.

Shepard said the road reopened to traffic at 11:48 a.m. Monday after a utility crew replaced the pole. Shepard said there is no ongoing investigation and there are no charges.

Cutline (5812) – Matt Wyman of WymanCutline (5822) – Gorham Police Officer Brent Frank inspects the Chevy that rolled over and snapped a utility pole, closing part of New Portland Road for six hours Monday. A utility crew replaced this pole on New Portland Road in Gorham after it snapped when struck by a car that rolled over Monday.