By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PERHAM, Maine — A Maine Department of Transportation plow driver sustained minor injuries when the truck he was operating rolled over as he attempted to make a sharp curve on Route 228 early Saturday evening during the first official snowstorm of winter. Trooper Shawn Whalen, of the Maine State Police, responded to investigate the accident, which took place around 5:53 p.m. on Dec. 21.
“Matthew Ellis, 28, of Caribou, was operating a DOT plow truck on Route 228, plowing roads in the storm when he lost control on a sharp corner at the intersection of the Mouse Island Road and Route 228,” said Sgt. Brian Harris, of the MSP.
Harris said the plow truck went off the left side of the roadway, rolling onto its side into the ditch, damaging the passenger side of the vehicle.
“Ellis sustained minor injuries to his leg in the crash. Beaulieu’s towing service, of Caribou, responded, righting the overturned truck and removing it from the scene,” said Harris.
Shawn Lizotte, who moved to the area in 2005 and witnessed the recovery effort, said this isn’t the first accident he’s seen at that location.
“I’ve seen cars, trucks, a logging truck and now a plow truck – all in the exact same spot. With a church, post office and a very dangerous corner, you would think people would take the corner much slower but they don’t seem to be,” said Lizotte, who got a few photos of the accident as the tow truck crew worked to upright the plow truck.
Lizotte said it took the towing service until about 10 p.m. to get the large vehicle out of the ditch.
