Whiteout conditions blamed in multi-car pileup

NEW LIMERICK, Maine — A chain-reaction, seven-vehicle collision Thursday resulted in one individual receiving non-life-threatening injuries.
According to the Maine State Police, Trooper Adam Bell and Trooper Timmy Saucier responded to the scene on I-95 in New Limerick. The incident occurred at about 12:16 p.m. Feb. 19, when a vehicle went off the southbound side of the interstate and crashed. This triggered two tractor-trailers to crash, and subsequently two more passenger vehicles ran into the backs of those tractor-trailers. A third tractor-trailer was able to navigate through most of the original crash scene, but ended up colliding with two other passenger vehicles.
One individual was transported by Houlton Ambulance to Houlton Regional Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries to his head, chest and knee. All other occupants and operators refused medical treatment.
In all, said state police officials, seven vehicles were involved in the crash — three tractor-trailer units and four passenger vehicles. Damage amounts ranged from some vehicles being a total loss to others only having minor damage. All four passenger vehicles and one truck were towed from the scene. The southbound lanes of I-95 were shut down for approximately one and a half hours while vehicles and debris were cleared.
The crash remains under investigation, but white-out weather conditions and vehicles following too closely contributed to the crash, police said.
As always, motorists are urged to reduce speed and increase following distances in inclement weather conditions.
Assisting state police were the Houlton Fire Department, Houlton Ambulance, Houlton Police Department and the Maine Department of Transportation.