Sun may have blinded driver in fatal wreck
Police suspect the 61-year-old man was blinded by sun

JAY – The sun appears to be a major factor in a fatal accident Tuesday evening, according to police Chief Larry White Sr.

The sun may have blinded the Peru man because it appears he made no attempt to stop his vehicle before impact, police said in a news release issued Wednesday.

Arthur White, 61, of Peru was killed in the wreck when his vehicle crashed into a tractor-trailer on Route 17 in North Jay.

White was driving a 1992 Subaru station wagon west on Route 17 at 7:15 p.m. At that time, Scott Bowen, 31, of Route 17 was backing his 2007 Kenwood tractor-trailer from the highway onto his property. White struck the left side of the trailer and his Subaru went partially under the trailer, police said.

White died at the scene. Bowen was not injured.

Bowen was involved in another crash in East Wilton last month when a vehicle crossed the center lane striking his tractor-trailer.

Route 17 was closed for three hours and traffic was rerouted.

Maine State Police Trooper Aaron Turcotte was called to reconstruct the accident. A Maine State Police mapping unit was also called for measurements. State Police commercial vehicle inspection units assisted in the investigation because one vehicle was a tractor-trailer, the chief said.

Alcohol tests were taken from both operators but alcohol is not believed to be involved in the accident, he said.

The investigation will continue and a report will be reviewed by the District Attorney’s Office, but the chief did not expect any criminal charges would follow.

Damage to Bowen’s tractor and trailer is estimated at $4,000 while the Subaru was a total loss. It was towed and impounded.