PARIS — Town Manager Amy Bernard told selectmen Monday night that Highway Department Foreman Dan Nowell resigned Saturday after the plow truck he was driving struck and damaged a car and a house on Hebron Road.

According to a report by Paris police officer William Cook, the accident occurred at 727 Hebron Road at approximately 8 a.m. during extremely icy and dangerous conditions. Cook described the road conditions as “deplorable.”

Cook was covering a nearby vehicle accident and traffic jam at the time, and Nowell was sanding the road to free up some of the congestion. According to Cook, Nowell radioed him to report he accidentally stuck a car parked on the side of the road, pushing it into a house.

Arriving on the scene, Cook said he had to wait until Nowell shoveled sand to coat the roadside before he could approach the accident. 

Cook said he checked on Nowell to make sure he wasn’t injured before checking on Stephanie Hayslip, the driver of the damaged Toyota Camry, and Dennis Walton, the homeowner. Neither reported injuries, he said. 

According to Bernard, Nowell contacted her at 11:51 a.m. Saturday to announce his resignation, effective immediately. She said he cited personal reasons for his decision.

An investigation into the accident is being handled by the Maine State Police, per the town’s policy, police Chief Michael Madden said. 

“It’s the policy of the town that if one of the town vehicles is involved in an accident, the Maine State Police investigate the accident,” he said. 

Bernard said she was unsure about the cost of the damage. In his report, Cook estimated the Camry was a total loss, but the home had only cosmetic damage. 

pmcguire@sunjournal.com

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