This story was updated at 10:04 a.m. Saturday to correct the route number.

LEBANON – Quick thinking on a truck driver’s part averted a more serious accident Friday morning.

Crews responded to the scene of a crash between a tanker truck and a car at 6:40 a.m. on Route 11.

Lebanon Rescue Assistant Chief Jason Cole said it appears the driver of a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu was trying to turn onto the road from Spruce Street and crossed into the path of a westbound truck.

The driver of the truck swerved to avoid the collision and skidded sideways until it rolled over in a ditch, Cole said.

The Lebanon Fire and Rescue departments and Maine State Police responded.

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The driver of the truck was wearing a seat belt, but Cole said the driver of the Malibu was not. He said both drivers, whose identities were not released, were taken to H.D. Goodall Hospital in Sanford with non-life-threatening injuries.

“Had (the driver of the truck) not seen the car coming onto the highway, he would have had a direct crash into the driver’s side of the car and I am positive the outcome would have been more serious,” Cole said.

“The collision was still severe, but the truck driver probably saved the life of the other driver by quickly reacting to the car entering the road in front of him.”

Authorities say the truck was carrying calcium carbonate, a white chalk-like substance derived from limestone and used in many antacids and as a sodium-free version of baking soda. While the truck was full, its contents did not pose a hazard.

Cole said diesel fuel spilled from the truck as a result of the accident, and was cleaned up.

Crews were at the scene until 11:30 a.m. Traffic was detoured while four wreckers worked to right the truck and tow it from the scene. The truck and car were both totaled.

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The Maine Department of Transportation and the Department of Environmental Protection both responded to help with cleanup.

Cole said state police are investigating the accident.

Staff Writer Emma Bouthillette can be contacted at 791-6325 or at:

ebouthillette@pressherald.com

 


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