WILTON – A Temple driver was critically injured Monday evening when his car crossed the center line on Route 2 in East Wilton and struck a tractor-trailer, police said Tuesday.

Childs suffered serious injuries. He was taken to Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington and then was transferred to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. He remained in critical condition Tuesday afternoon.

The truck, hauling wood from Farmington to Rumford, rolled over, sending the load 180 feet down the road.

Nathan Childs, 21, of Temple, drove a black 1999 Kia Sephia across the centerline into a 2005 Kenworth truck driven by Scott Bowen, 29, of Jay, according to a witness interviewed by Wilton police officers.

The accident happened near a rock formation called the Indian Head and was reported at 7:25 p.m. It appeared to have started near Double D Auto and wood spilled down the road toward Wilton, Farmington fire Chief Terry Bell said. The truck was headed south and the car north, he added.

Bowen suffered minor injuries and was treated at Franklin Memorial Hospital and later released.

Wilton police officers Joshua King and Wayne Drake responded to the crash along with Wilton and East Dixfield fire departments and NorthStar Ambulance. Farmington Fire and Rescue also responded and helped extricate a driver. The accident is being reconstructed by Maine State Police.

State Trooper Aaron Turcotte said it appeared Bowen tried to get out of the way and his truck swerved after impact. Bowen tried to maneuver the truck back onto the road but the load shifted, causing the truck to tip onto its side, Turcotte said Tuesday. Speed did not appear to be a factor in the crash but the accident remains under investigation, Turcotte said.

The highway was closed for six hours while wood and debris were cleared.