LUDLOW, Maine — Melting snow that had pooled on a section of Interstate 95 near Ludlow caused two separate crashes last Wednesday that occurred moments apart.
The first crash happened around 1:15 p.m., when Lisa Condon, 49, of Houlton was traveling south on I-95 when she hit a large pool of water, hydroplaned, skidded off the interstate, rolled over, and came to rest in deep snow over an embankment, according to Maine State Police Trooper Chuck Michaud.
Condon was trapped inside the vehicle and hanging upside down when she called 9-1-1 and gave directions to her location. Members of the Houlton Fire Department and Ambulance Service helped extricate her from the vehicle. The 2014 Jeep SUV she was driving was towed from the scene. Condon was transported to Houlton Regional Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Shortly after the first crash, 55-year-old Holly McNally of Sherman also lost control after driving into the same pool of standing water.
McNally’s 2000 Chevrolet sedan skidded out of control and went off into the median coming to rest on top of an embankment of snow. McNally was not injured in the crash, but her vehicle also had to be towed from the scene, the trooper said.
Both occupants were wearing seat belts in the crashes.
Maine DOT was able to plow back the banks of snow, which allowed the water to drain off of the roadway. The interstate was reduced to one lane for about an hour and a half while the crash scenes were cleared.
State Police urge motorists to reduce speed and be prepared for rapidly changing road conditions during this time of year with warmer day temperatures causing snow to melt, which often freezes quickly once the sun sets and the temperatures drop in the evening.
