AUBURN – Three people were hurt and traffic backed up Wednesday night after a car plowed into a street sweeper and knocked it over on Center Street.

Police said 51-year-old Robert Cote, of Lewiston, was driving drunk when he crashed into the back of the sweeper stopped at the side of the road at about 7:30 p.m.

The sweeper was knocked over with its driver inside after the impact near Jim’s Auto Sales.

The driver was examined at the scene for minor injuries, police said. His identity was not immediately available.

Cote and a passenger in his car were taken to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston where they were being treated later Wednesday night. Police expected both men to be released from the hospital.

Police investigating the wreck charged Cote with driving while intoxicated and possessing a useable amount of marijuana.

Meanwhile, on Center Street, traffic was limited to one lane in each direction as emergency crews responded and cleanup began.

Police said the lane closures caused a traffic snarl for approximately 20 minutes after the wreck.

Police remained at the scene two hours after the crash as the investigation continued.

It was unclear what caused Cote to strike the back of the city-owned vehicle, police said.

“The street sweeper was fully lit up at the side of the road when it was struck,” said Auburn police Lt. Tim Cougle.

Damage to the street sweeper and to Cote’s vehicle was not immediately known.

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