Multi-Vehicle Accident on I-95 in Southern Aroostook [Photos]

A chain-reaction crash on I-95 in New Limerick, involving three tractor trailers and four passenger vehicles, sent one person to the hospital Thursday afternoon.

State Police say it started when one vehicle slid off the southbound side of the interstate and crashed near Mile Marker 298.  Two tractor trailers that were following behind then collided on the snow-covered highway.

Moments later, two more passenger vehicles crashed into the back of the tractor trailers.  A third tractor trailer was able to navigate through the most of the original crash scene, but ended up crashing into two other passenger vehicles.

State Police, Houlton Fire Department, Houlton Ambulance, Houlton Police Department, and Maine Dept. of Transportation responded to the multi-vehicle accident.

State Trooper Chuck Michaud said that one person was transported to Houlton Regional Hospital with non-life threatening injuries to his head, chest, and knee.  All other drivers and passengers refused medical treatment.

The southbound lanes of I-95 were shut down for approximately 1 ½ hours Thursday afternoon while vehicles and debris were cleared from the scene.

Damage amounts ranged from some vehicles being a total loss to others only having small amounts of damage, Michaud said.  All four passenger vehicles, and one tractor trailer, had to be towed from the scene.

The crash remains under investigation, but police say white-out conditions, and vehicles following too closely contributed to the accident.