Driver escapes serious injury after striking moose

A Presque Isle motorist escaped serious injury Nov. 23 when he struck a moose as he traveled eastbound on Route 163 near the Ashland town line.
“Mark Forino, 34, of Presque Isle, was eastbound on Route 163 in Township 11 Range 4, near the Ashland town line when a moose entered the roadway. Forino was operating a 2006 Toyota Sienna van and was unable to avoid the moose, striking and killing it,” said Sgt. Brian Harris, of the Maine State Police.
When Forino came a stop, the moose was entirely inside the vehicle.
“When the van struck the moose, the animal crashed through the windshield and into the passenger compartment of the van, narrowly missing Forino,” said Harris.
Forino, who was wearing his seatbelt, was not injured in the accident but did have some broken glass flushed from his eyes at the scene by Ashland Ambulance Service.
Investigating the accident was Trooper Dennis Quint, assisted by the Ashland fire and police departments.
A number of animal-related accidents have been reported in recent weeks, including several moose- and deer-related collisions in the Presque Isle area.
Police remind motorists to watch for wildlife, especially at night; moose are particularly difficult to see, given their dark fur.