SMYRNA — Black ice and slick roads caused a pair of accidents here Monday night that injured one driver and a Maine State Trooper.
The events began when Jayde McNinch, 19, of Littleton encountered a patch of black ice while headed north on Interstate 95 and skidded off the highway into the median, according to a press release issued Tuesday morning by Maine State Police Sgt. Brian Harris.
Trooper Jill Monahan soon arrived on scene and was standing outside the 2009 Chevrolet speaking to McNinch, who was still seated in her car, when a second vehicle hit the black ice at about 8:40 p.m.
The northbound 2005 Chevrolet pickup being operated by Eric Clark, 37, of Houlton skidded out of control off the road and into the median, striking the rear of McNinch’s car, according to Harris. The impact of the crash caused McNinch’s car to spin around, hitting Monahan as she tried to get out of the way and knocking the trooper to the ground, Harris reported.
McNinch was partially ejected from her vehicle and dragged by her car as it spun away.
After the impact, Clark’s vehicle continued on and struck a tree. He was not injured in the crash, according to Harris. McNinch was brought to Houlton Regional Hospital by family where she was treated for leg and arm injuries and later released. Monahan was transported to Houlton Regional Hospital by Houlton Ambulance where she was treated for leg and arm injuries and later released.
Both vehicles sustained significant damage and were towed from the scene.
Parts of Aroostook County saw the first measurable snowfall on Monday, including about 4 inches in the St. John Valley.
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- A car driven by Jayde McNinch, who was involved in a Monday night crash in Smyrna, is shown in this photo contributed by state police.
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