CUMBERLAND (AP) – The driver of a tractor-trailer that crossed the Maine Turnpike and collided with an oncoming car was convicted last year of logbook violations after rolling his rig in Ogunquit.

Christopher Vezina, 32, of Orange, Mass., was convicted last year of being a fatigued driver and failing to maintain his logbook as required, police said.

He also was cited for a logbook violation on March 25.

Investigators said Vezina’s logbook was current after Thursday’s incident but they are checking it against receipts and other documentation to determine whether fatigue may have played a factor in the accident.

His truck was traveling north when it sideswiped a van, crashed through the guardrails and collided with a southbound car Wednesday morning, said Stephen McCausland of the Maine Public Safety Department.

The van flipped twice, according to witnesses, and the Pontiac Sunfire driven by Jennifer Galarneau, 30, of Lewiston, was demolished.

Galarneau was freed by Falmouth firefighters with an extrication tool. She was taken to Maine Medical Center where she is in stable condition; police did not believe her injuries were life threatening.

Randi Spinney, 28, of Brunswick, the driver of the van transporting supplies for bank machines and copiers, was apparently uninjured but was taken to the hospital as a precaution, police said.

Vezina also was taken to the Maine Medical Center, where he was in good condition, officials said.

Investigators and firefighters said they were amazed nobody was seriously injured or killed given the severity of the accident. Falmouth Deputy Fire Chief Tom Martelle said seatbelts and airbags helped minimize the injuries.

The southbound lanes were closed for more than five hours, forcing troopers to divert traffic at the Gray exit. Because of tie-ups in Gray, troopers eventually began diverting southbound traffic onto I-95 in Gardiner.

Information on the fully loaded truck trailer indicated it was owned by Clopay Building Products Co. Officials from the Ohio-based company did not return calls from The Associated Press seeking information.

Investigators will inspect the truck for any mechanical problems that could have contributed to the accident, said Sgt. Bruce Flanigan, with the State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit. Investigators also will be going over Vezina’s fuel and toll receipts.

“Obviously we have a concern that he was involved in an accident a year ago after falling asleep,” he said. “That won’t prejudice us in any way, but at least we can’t rule that out and that will be one of the factors we look at.”

The March 25 allegation of a logbook violation has not been adjudicated yet, Flanagan said.

In the Ogunquit accident, Vezina had been heading north at 7 a.m. on Feb. 5 when he apparently fell asleep and went off the roadway, rolling the truck onto its side, said Lt. Randy Nichols.

The truck, worth $100,000, was destroyed, he said. He was fined $350 for violations associated with the crash.

AP-ES-05-29-03 0935EDT

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