A man was killed when a truck lost its load of lumber Wednesday evening on Route 27 in New Vineyard.

The driver of the lumber truck fled the scene. Police are asking people to help them locate the driver.

Cpl. Stephen P. Charles of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said the accident happened as the truck was southbound on the two-lane highway just south of Basin Road. That’s about three miles north of the Farmington town line.

Charles is heading the investigation, assisted by Maine State Police.

In a news release calling for assistance in locating the truck driver, Charles said the vehicle lost its load “including numerous large beams. Several of the beams struck two vehicles going north.

“The operator of the first northbound vehicle was deceased at the scene,” he said.

Police aren’t releasing that person’s name until they’ve been able to contact the next of kin, Charles said.

Katherine Jones, 43, the driver of the second vehicle, a black 2001 Saab sedan, and her passenger received minor injuries, police said. Theywere checked by ambulance crews at the crash site and released at the scene.

Both vehicles were totaled.

“The operator of the vehicle which lost the load of lumber did not stop and has not been located or identified at this time,” Charles said. “We encourage the operator of the vehicle which lost the load of lumber to contact the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, as well as anyone in the area at the time of the crash or (who might have) information regarding the vehicle which left the scene.”

The Sheriff’s Office can be reached at 800-773-2680 or 207-778-2680.

Charles said the call for crash came in at 5:17 p.m. Wednesday as a multiple-vehicle wreck. Ambulance, fire and police were immediately dispatched.

Sheriff’s deputies were helped by state troopers, who conducted forensic mapping of the site and reconstructed the crash, Charles said. The road was closed for about 90 minutes during the investigation.

Farmington police, Farmington and the New Vineyard Fire departments and Northstar Ambulance all sent personnel to help at the scene.