Hallowell police are investigating why a car driven by an 86-year-old Jefferson man crossed into the opposing lane of Water Street and struck a stopped car on Friday afternoon, tying up traffic for an hour.
The accident happened just south of downtown on Water Street, where workers were finishing repairs on the Millikens Crossing Bridge, said Eric Nason, the city’s police chief.
A line of cars was stopped in the southbound lane when a 2012 Chevrolet sedan traveling in the opposite direction crossed the centerline and hit a stopped car, Nason said.
The sedan was driven by Lincoln Orff, of Jefferson, and after striking the other car, it rolled onto its driver side and landed on its roof, Nason said.
The accident was reported to police at 12:42 p.m., and Orff was taken to MaineGeneral Medical Center with injuries that didn’t appear to be life-threatening, Nason said.
Police were at the hospital later Friday afternoon to try to establish Orff’s medical condition and what caused his car to veer into the opposite lane.
“We’re not sure why the accident occurred,” Nason said at 3 p.m. “We need to speak with (Orff) further. He was transported to the hospital. (An officer) is interviewing him as we speak.”
Two people were in the other car, a 2009 Subaru station wagon, that was struck by Orff’s sedan. The driver, Eden Bergeron, 28, of Monmouth, complained of knee pain after the accident but was not taken to the hospital, Nason said. An adult passenger traveling with Bergeron was not injured.
Orff’s car was badly damaged, and the other car was moderately damaged, Nason said. The accident occurred near the Millikens Crossing Bridge, just south of downtown. Traffic was backed up on Water Street, which is also U.S. Route 201, for about an hour, Nason said.
Charles Eichacker — 621-5642
Twitter: @ceichacker
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