A Gorham man was hospitalized Monday after police said a trailer truck he was driving went off the Maine Turnpike into an embankment and rolled over.
State Trooper Tim Marks identified the driver as Ralph Young, 62. Marks said Tuesday the incident happened at mile 64 on the turnpike about one mile before the New Gloucester tollbooth. Marks, who investigated, said Young had some sort of medical problem.
Marks said Young wasn’t aware he was driving off the road.
“The driver didn’t know what happened,” Marks said. “He absolutely never touched the brakes.”
Marks said Young didn’t have a prior medical problem and no alcohol was involved. Marks said Young remained hospitalized overnight.
“They’re evaluating him today,” Marks said Tuesday.
A spokeswoman at Maine Medical Center said Tuesday that Young was listed in satisfactory condition.
Marks said there was nothing wrong with the truck. Young was driving a 2004 International for Land Air Express of New England. Marks said Young had picked up his load in Scarborough and was en route to Winthrop. He said Young didn’t have any accidents on his record.
“He has a good driving record,” Marks said.
The trooper said truck contents “blew out” of the top of the trailer, which had been covered with a slight membrane.
The accident restricted turnpike traffic to one northbound lane for eight or nine hours while the load was cleaned up. Marks estimated damage at $70,000.
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