CARRABASSETT VALLEY — Police said a Chesterville man was extricated from a truck loaded with wood chips that overturned and brought down electrical wires on Route 27 Wednesday afternoon.

The accident is still under investigation and charges are pending.

Speed was a factor, Carrabassett Valley police officer Rick Billian said Thursday morning.

Joel McMichael, 30, was driving a Carrier chip truck north to Stratton at approximately 2 p.m. when he had difficulty making a curve near what is known as “Oh My Gosh Corner,” Billian said.

As McMichael attempted to negotiate the curve, he overcorrected, causing the load to shift, Billian said. The truck rolled, crossed the centerline and ended up on a resident’s lawn.

The truck knocked down an electrical pole and wires were left across the road. McMichael was extricated from the vehicle once Central Maine Power arrived to shut off the power, Billian said.

McMichael received minor injuries and was checked out at the scene by NorthStar ambulance personnel. 

He was alone in the vehicle and no other vehicles were involved.

Traffic was stopped intermittently for pole replacement and for Collins Enterprises Towing and Repair of Wilton to haul the truck, which received substantial damage. 

The accident scene was cleared at about 10 p.m., he said.

Members of Carrabassett Valley Fire Department and NorthStar Ambulance assisted at the scene.

abryant@sunmediagroup.net

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