CARIBOU, Maine — When Ryan Lowell, 29, of Limestone dropped his cigarette lighter while driving on Route 161 in Woodland Monday night, Maine State Police say he tried to retrieve it and lost control of his 2007 Ford F-150.
Lowell’s truck swerved into the northbound lane, he overcorrected, and the vehicle went over a steep embankment, “flipped end over end, crashed through several trees, and then came to rest on its roof in a field,” according to a press release issued by MSP Cpl. Chuck Michaud, who also investigated the accident that happened at about 8 p.m..
Michaud said that Lowell’s injuries were “non-life threatening” and that he was driven to Cary Medical Center via private vehicle.
Michaud said in an email that the seatbelt Lowell was wearing helped him survive the incident. This is “just another amazing example of how seatbelts save lives,” the corporal reported.
He said Lowell had dropped the lighter while trying to light a cigarette and then became distracted trying to locate it. Michaud did not indicate in the press release issued late Monday night whether any charges would be filed.
Members of the Caribou Fire and Ambulance and Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the accident.
