Exploding tire forces truck off the road

8 years ago

NEW LIMERICK, Maine — A tractor trailer truck went off the road on U.S. Route 2 Monday afternoon, after one of its tires exploded.

According to Cpl. Dennis Quint of the Maine State Police, Thomas Feezell, 53, of Lincoln was traveling west in a 2006 Western Star tractor trailer when the right front tire burst, causing Feezell to lose control of the truck.

The operator first struck a guardrail and then crashed into a ditch on the westbound side of the road, coming to a rest in a gathering of trees.

The logging truck, which was empty at the time of the crash, sustained significant damage and had to be towed from the scene. Feezell suffered minor injuries, but did not immediately seek medical attention.

Quint stated the Maine Department of Transportation and Maine Department of Environmental Protection also responded to the incident due to the damaged guard rail and the fact that the truck was leaking oil into a ditch.

Sgt. Jeffrey Clark investigated the crash. Speed was not believed to be a factor, according to the press release, and the driver was wearing his seat belt.