February 8

Fairfield woman stable after minivan collision with logging truck

By Ben McCanna bmccanna@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

FAIRFIELD — A woman who survived a collision with a logging truck Thursday is “very lucky,” police said.

Trina Bradford, 35, of Fairfield was listed in stable condition Friday morning at Maine Medical Center in Portland after she was flown by LifeFlight helicopter from MaineGeneral Medical Center’s Thayer campus on Thursday night, said Sgt. Matthew Bard.

At 7 p.m., Bradford was leaving the parking lot at the Purple Cow Laundromat and Car Wash, when she drove her 2001 Dodge Caravan onto U.S. 201 and into the path of a northbound logging truck.

The truck’s driver, David Fowler, 49, of Thorndike, tried to avoid Bradford’s minivan but struck its front end, destroying it, Bard said. Bradford, who was most likely not wearing a seat belt, was partially ejected through the driver’s side window. Rescue workers needed to use extrication equipment to get Bradford all the way out of the minivan and into an ambulance.

Bradford’s injuries are not life-threatening, Bard said. Shortly after the accident, however, rescuers considered her injuries very serious, “but thankfully they were not,” Bard said. Fowler was not injured.

Driver inattention is blamed for the crash. Bradford either didn’t see the oncoming truck, or didn’t look, Bard said. Alcohol or drugs are not suspected to be factors.

During the crash investigation, Fowler underwent chemical testing, which is routine for commercial drivers involved in serious accidents. The logging truck was fully loaded, but within legal weight limits, Bard said.

The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office conducted a crash reconstruction. Police do not anticipate filing any charges, Bard said.

Ben McCanna — 861-9239
bmccanna@centralmaine.com

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