FARMINGTON – A domino-effect accident caused a rear-ended pickup truck to shoot across Route 2, crash into an embankment and roll over Thursday. No one was injured.

The accident occurred at 11 a.m. in the eastbound lane of Route 2 heading toward New Sharon.

According to investigating officer Sgt. Vern Stevens of the Farmington Police Department, a dump truck that locked its brakes to avoid hitting a vehicle turning into Mom’s Place started the chain reaction and left a long snake of black skid marks on the hot tar.

Traveling behind the dump truck in his 1997 Chevrolet pickup truck was Stephen Whitney, 47, of Norridgewock, who slowed to avoid hitting the dump truck. As the Chevy slowed, it was smashed into from behind by a 1999 Toyota 4Runner driven by James Stroup, 36, of Pennsylvania.

Passengers in the Toyota included Stroup’s wife, 36-year-old Natalie, and the couple’s 13-year-old daughter and 17-year-old son. The family was in Maine on vacation and had planned to go fishing later that afternoon.

The impact on the left rear bumper knocked Whitney’s foot off the brake and caused his pickup to cross the oncoming lane, crash into a grassy embankment and softly roll onto the roof, Stevens said.

Whitney was left dangling upside-down but managed to free himself by unclipping the seat belt before police arrived.

Stevens, who was assisted by Farmington officers Drew Hufnagel and Michael Wahl, estimated the damage to each vehicle at $5,000 but said the insurance company may consider the pickup totaled. The frame was noticeably bent.

It was surprising that no one was injured in the crash, Stevens said.

No charges were filed.

Whitney said he had purchased the truck within the past month, and that it “rode like a Cadillac” with a good air conditioner and a strong sound system.

“I love my truck,” he said, looking at it sadly. “I can’t believe this happened.”

sdepoy@sunjournal.com

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