OXFORD — A teenage boy who was critically injured in a collision between a passenger car and a tractor-trailer Saturday on Route 26 is improving, Oxford police Lt. Michael Ward said Monday.

The identity of the 17-year-old was not released due to his age, Ward said. He is being treated at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. He said police have spoken with his family, who say he’s recovering.

“He’s going to make it,” Ward said.

The teen was riding in the back seat of a Volvo sedan driven by Richard Schmieks, 21, of Oxford, the officer said. Also in the car was front seat passenger Elyssa Hubert, 18, of Lisbon and another back seat passenger, who also was not identified by police because he or she is under 18 years old, he said.

Ward said the 17-year-old boy “took the direct impact” of the tractor-trailer. “We had to cut him out” of the car.

The rig was driven by David Peicher, 58, of Eustis, who was not hurt, the lieutenant said.

“We’re lucky that no one was killed,” the investigator said. “All four of them are lucky to be alive.”

Hubert and the other back seat passenger were treated at Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway. Schmieks refused treatment, Ward said.

Schmieks was headed north and turning left to enter the Walmart parking lot under a green light when the collision occurred at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Ward said.

Trooper Daniel Hanson of the Maine State Police is reconstructing the crash and another trooper is investigating the tractor-trailer. No charges have been filed, he said.

Oxford Fire/Rescue Department and Paris Fire Department assisted at the scene.

treaves@sunjournal.com