LEWISTON – A man injured when a chunk of ice smashed through his windshield on the Maine Turnpike was released Saturday from a local hospital.

Lacerations on the face of Robert Deschaine, 52, of Sabattus were stitched closed at Central Maine Medical Center.

Deschaine was northbound on the turnpike Friday night when a chunk of ice smashed through the windshield of the 2000 Chevrolet box truck he was driving. He lost consciousness, his face sliced by shards of glass and ice, family members said. The ice chunk hit the steering wheel with such force it bent the steering column.

Deschaine’s brother, Frank, a passenger in the truck, grabbed the steering wheel in an effort to regain control of the truck. It slid off the highway, nearly flipping over a snowbank.

Frank Deschaine thought his brother was dead when blood covered his face and he hunched over the steering wheel, family members said.

A brother has offered a $500 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case.

Deschaine’s truck was impounded by police as evidence in a crime.

Another incident at the same turnpike overpass in Lewiston left Raymond Small, 45, of Canaan with minor lacerations and bruises, police said. Small was driving a tractor-trailer.

Police said they have no immediate suspects. Anyone with information about the incidents is urged to call Maine State Police at 1-800-228-0857.