KENNEBUNK, Maine — A tractor-trailer rollover Thursday evening resulted in a fuel spill and occasional traffic backups, according to the Maine State Police and the Maine Turnpike Authority.
The rollover happened about 6:30 p.m. in the turnpike’s northbound lanes, near mile marker 23, just over the Wells line, Trooper James Corbett said late Thursday night. He and public safety personnel were still at the accident scene at 10 p.m., at which time wreckers were removing the rig from the roadway.
Corbett said the accident happened after driver Alhaji Kanu, 29, of Dorchester, Mass., lost control of the tractor-trailer while transporting an empty shipping container. Kanu, who was en route to Rumford to pick up a load of paper, was not injured, Corbett said.
Kanu was charged with imprudent speed as a result of the accident, the trooper said. The speed limit on the turnpike was reduced to 45 mph when the accident occurred.
The truck belongs to JB Hunt, a transportation logistics company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Okla., Corbett said.
As a result of the accident, the cab’s fuel tank ruptured and an undetermined amount of diesel fuel was spilled, Corbett said. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection was called to the accident scene to conduct a cleanup.
In a series of traffic alerts issued Thursday night, the Maine Turnpike Authority said that after the rollover, the cab of the tractor-trailer came to rest in the southbound passing lane and that the trailer stretched across all three travel lanes on the northbound side.
The flow of traffic was stop and go through much of the evening, Corbett said.
Huh, a speeding trucker rolls over, gosh ….who would have thunk it? Are these guys beyond stupid or what?
Just another super trucker learning the facts of life. You cant slow down, you will be dropped from your carrier.
Riiiiiight ….. Truckers are never at fault, no matter what. Bad roads, bosses, stupid 4 wheelers ….. Did I miss anything?
and this comment coming from another stupid driver? Not all people who drive a truck are stupid and cause all the accidents out there on the road. No, I am not a trucker..just an observant human being who sees most accidents caused by regular vehicles on any given day of the week….and please..enlighten us with your driving skills and tell us how many times YOU have driven over the speed limit because you thought…”nothing is ever going to happen to me!”…if you say you dont and never have then that makes you a liar.
not meant for you downeastea…for some reason my reply skipped to your comment….
Just as beyond stupid as someone driving a car……
You people are all retarded!! Show me one car going 60mph when that sign is flashing 45 and I would be impressed. Lets look at all the facts and realities of the situation. If he was going 45mph as the sign may have instructed, I can assure you he would have been the only one adhering. Lets be honest first, critical after.
Speed is a factor in every accident. This includes lack of speed as well!! He may have been going 55 and was probably a good clip slower than every other motorist around him.
I also like how MDOT was out 20 hours prior to the storm painting the roads and our windows, but nowhere to be found when the roads are treachourous.
I live in the Country here in Central MA. I always tell people, it’s like living in Maine, without having to live in Maine. Don’t take it as a compliment!!
Like I said truckers are never to blame. Arrogant fools who think size matters, big truck…big gut …. Big joke.
I didn’t realize JB Hunt had trucks that went that fast…..Anyhow, driver charged on the spot which is what should happen if driving is determined to be imprudent, in-attentive or result of driver distraction…..this needs to happen with the majority of “accidents” that have been reported as of late…..
“Kanu was charged with imprudent speed as a result of the accident [sic], the trooper said.”
It’s about time. Every person who drives too fast and crashes their vehicle should be ticketed on the spot.