18-Wheeler Hauling Potatoes Rolls Over on I-95 in Waterville, Maine, Due to Wrong-Way Pickup Truck Driver

A big rig hauling potatoes landed on its side after a wrong-way driver forced it off the highway in Waterville on Thursday afternoon.

According to a press release from Maine State Police spokeswoman, Shannon Moss, 911 calls started coming in at about 12:20 p.m. about a pickup truck that was traveling the wrong way on Interstate 95 in Waterville.

Police were on their way to the scene when another call came in about a crash involving a tractor-trailer truck in the area of mile marker 131 in the town of Fairfield.

Initial reports indicate that a 2019 Chevy Silverado had been traveling northbound in the southbound lanes when the crash occurred.

Moss reported that the 18-wheeler was traveling southbound on 95 in the passing lane when the driver spotted the pickup truck heading directly at him from the other direction.

Fortunately, the driver was able to avoid colliding with the pickup by hitting the brakes and swerving to the left, however, this did cause the large truck to roll over off the side of the highway.

The driver of the pickup truck, Randolph Gerry, 71 of Winslow, continued driving the wrong way until marker 134 where he turned around and began traveling in the correct direction. Gerry then exited the highway at mile marker 133 where a Clinton Police officer made contact with the man.

Gerry was issued a summons for Driving to Endanger and Operating the Wrong Way on a Divided Highway. Police say the driver of the pickup truck did not appear to be operating under the influence.

Moss went on to say in her press release,

*The tractor-trailer which was hauling potatoes was registered to River View Transport out of Houlton. The crash at mile marker 131 closed the passing lane. It will remain closed until crews can unload the potatoes and upright the truck. Social media accounts will be updated when the road has re-opened.