
FALMOUTH — A Lewiston man was killed Friday morning in a single-vehicle crash on the Maine Turnpike after he apparently fell asleep while driving.
H was identified by the Maine Department of Public Safety as 30-year-old Brandon Bates.
State troopers responded to the crash at mile marker 56 northbound shortly after 5 a.m. They discovered that a 2019 black Toyota Highlander struck the Hurricane Road overpass bridge abutment. A preliminary investigation indicated the vehicle left the road, traveled 200 feet on the grass part of the shoulder, went behind the guardrail and struck the bridge.
Troopers believe Bates fell asleep at the wheel. He was the sole occupant in the SUV.
Falmouth Fire and Rescue and the Maine Turnpike Authority assisted troopers at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation.
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