HOPE, Maine — Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a Camden man who was killed Tuesday afternoon by a rock that crashed through his windshield as he was driving on heavily traveled Route 17.
James Nash, 73, died at the scene of the incident that occurred in Hope near the Union townline. Nash was driving east in his 2013 Honda Civic when a rock that was about 6 to 8 inches in diameter came through the windshield. His wife was injured and taken to Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport to be treated for minor injuries and shock, according to police.
Knox County Sheriff Donna Dennison said Wednesday that investigators aren’t sure yet whether the rock fell off the back of a dumptruck or could have fallen off a flatbed truck or even been kicked up by the tires of a truck that police believe was headed west on Route 17 when the incident occurred shortly before 3 p.m.
The sheriff said the driver of the truck is likely not even aware of what occurred at the time. She said she hopes that if the truck driver hears about the incident that the person will contact police.
Officers are gathering video camera footage from stores along Route 17 in an effort to pinpoint which other vehicle might have been involved.
The sheriff said later Wednesday that the department received numerous calls from people with information and that officers were following up on those leads.
While it is not clear yet what happened in this case, there are laws concerning the securing of loads on trucks traveling Maine roads, Lt. Brian Scott of the Maine State Police traffic safety division said Wednesday.
According to state law, “a load of gravel, sand, crushed stone, rubbish, building debris or trash must be covered or otherwise secured or confined to prevent any portion of the load from falling from or spilling out of the vehicle.”
Scott said any police officer can cite a driver for unsecured loads and that the penalty for violating this law is $190.
Anyone with any information that may assist police with the accident investigation is urged to contact the Knox County Regional Communications Center at 207-593-9132. Callers are asked to provide a name and contact information so a deputy can call back.