A car had to be removed from underneath a tractor trailer after an accident on the Maine Turnpike. SUBMITTED PHOTO

SACO — A 22-year-old man from Portland is being treated for serious injuries after his car was struck by a tractor trailer on the turnpike this morning.

The crash took place around 5 a.m. at exit 36 on the I-95 southbound ramp, Maine Public Safety Spokesman Steve McCausland said.

Abdirahman Mohamed, 22 of Portland, lost control of his Toyota Prius and struck a guardrail in a single-car accident, McCausland said. After Mohamed’s car struck the guardrail, it came to rest in the roadway where it was then struck by a tractor trailer truck driven by Mark Pierce, 46, of Standish.

The truck was owned by Hutchins Trucking of South Portland and was hauling a loaded trailer for Hannaford Supermarkets.

The two vehicles came to rest just off the breakdown lane, and the impact of the crash drove the car underneath the cab of the tractor trailer and Mohamed was pinned inside, McCausland said.

Wreckers were used to lift the truck off the car, in order to free the operator, as fire department personnel used extrication equipment to remove Mohamed from the car.

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Mohamed was taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland, McCausland said. Mohamed was in critical condition on Monday afternoon, according to Maine Medical Center spokeswoman Caroline Cornish.

It was raining at the time of the crash, and the weather was likely a factor, McCausland said.

No charges were filed.

The exit ramp was closed for 3½ hours, McCausland said.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 780-9015 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.

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