PARIS – A Rumford driver was injured at midday Thursday when his vehicle was hit on Main Street by another with a sleeping driver at the wheel.

Paul Moreau, 37, of Lewiston, was driving south in a 1998 Saturn sedan when he fell asleep at the wheel. Moreau’s vehicle crossed into the center turning lane and then into the northbound lane, striking the rear of a 2001 Dodge Durango driven by Ian Gilpatrick, 33, of Rumford.

Officer Nate Bowie of the Paris Police Department said Gilpatrick was attempting to avoid Moreau’s car when he was struck. The impact spun the car into a snowbank and portable sign outside the Big Apple store near Pine Street.

Gilpatrick was taken to Stephens Memorial Hospital with bruises, arm and shoulder pain, treated and released.

Moreau refused treatment at the scene.

Bowie said police had received a report of Moreau’s erratic operation shortly before the accident.

“Fatigue’s a big issue with the crashes we’ve had,” Bowie said. He cited long travel distances as a contributing factor.

The Paris Police and Fire Departments responded to the scene, as well as PACE Ambulance. The Oxford Police Department responded to help with traffic control as vehicles were diverted over Pine Street.

The Durango had a broken driveshaft.

“There’s a good chance both vehicles are totaled,” Bowie said.

No charges were issued at the scene and the accident remains under investigation.