DIXFIELD – A Farmington man was in critical condition following a collision with an empty tractor-trailer truck late Monday afternoon.

Dixfield Police Chief Richard Pickett said Gearry R. Judkins, 26, veered into the oncoming lane of a tractor-trailer truck driven by Stuart R. Crowley, 31, of Jay along a stretch of Route 2 between the Premium Log yard and the M.T. Pockets towing site.

He said when Crowley tried to avoid contact with Judkins’ 1994 Ford Escort wagon, the truck jackknifed into a snowbank along the westbound lane.

The driver’s side of the truck collided with the driver’s side of the Ford.

Judkins was pinned inside his vehicle. Nearly an hour was needed by the Rumford Fire Department, Dixfield Fire Co. and two units from Med-Care Ambulance Service to remove Judkins from the vehicle with Rumford’s jaws of life extrication tool.

Judkins was then transported by Med-Care to a nearby open site where he was then flown by helicopter to Central Maine Medical Center.

Judkins remained in critical condition late Tuesday afternoon.

Crowley was shaken, but not injured in the accident, said Pickett.

He said the Maine State Police Commercial Vehicles Division is investigating the accident along with the officer of record, Dixfield reserve officer Jarrod Wiswell. Pickett said no charges are expected.

The tractor driven by Crowley is owned by Collins Enterprises Inc. of Wilton. The trailer is owned by E.J. Carrier of Jackman.

Pickett said the Ford was demolished while the tractor-trailer sustained several thousand dollars in damage.

Traffic was reduced to one lane in the area of the accident for more than two hours.

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