Tractor trailer tips over in Farmington

FARMINGTON — A brake failure caused a tractor-trailer driver to lose control on a snow-covered road just before the truck rolled over onto its side Sunday night, police said.

Etienne Blanchette, 31, of Lambton, Quebec, was driving south on Fairbanks Road when the accident occurred about 9 p.m., according to Rachel Heseltine, a Farmington police spokeswoman.

Blanchette lost control of the 2010 International tractor-trailer on the curve just north of downtown Farmington, where it tipped over and spilled out some of the 22 tons of wood pellets being shipped from Quebec to Auburn, she said.

Investigators believe Blanchette was driving too fast for the road conditions, which were slick due to falling snow, Heseltine said, citing police reports. He complained of leg pain after the crash but refused medical treatment.

Farmington police do not expect to file charges against Blanchette, saying the Maine State Police’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit determined the truck’s brakes were defective, Heseltine said.

He was wearing his seatbelt, and it’s unclear how fast he was driving in the 25 mph zone.

The section of Fairbanks Road was closed for about three hours following the crash. NorthStar

Ambulance service, Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies assisted at the scene.
   
IN ALBION, Sunday at 6:51 p.m., a complaint was reported on Deer Meadow Drive.

IN ANSON, Sunday at 11:33 a.m., police were called to assist another agency on Campground Road.

IN ATHENS, Sunday at 5:24 p.m., a report of a domestic disturbance was investigated on Brighton Road.

IN BELGRADE, Friday at 12:59 p.m., a traffic hazard was reported on Route 27. 

IN BENTON, Sunday at 6:29 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Pleasant Drive.

IN BROOKS, Friday at 12:44 p.m., a bail check was conducted at on School Street.

Monday at 8:50 a.m., a property damage accident was reported on Wood Lane.

IN BURNHAM, Sunday at 2:12 p.m., a motorist was assisted on North Horseback Road.

IN CANAAN, Sunday at 6:16 p.m., a complaint was investigated on Lancaster Road.

Monday at 8:30 a.m., a citation or warning was issued to someone on Lancaster Road.

9:04 a.m., a chimney fire was reported on Hinckley Road.

IN CHINA, Sunday at 3:47 p.m., an unattended death was reported on Pond Road.

IN FAIRFIELD, Friday at 1:10 p.m., a complaint was investigated at Big Apple on Main Street.

1:20 p.m., a reported motor vehicle accident was investigated at TD Bank on Main Street.

2:16 p.m., a motor vehicle complaint was reported on Skowhegan Road.

3:17 p.m., a 911 call was investigated on High Street.

5:03 p.m., a motorist was assisted on Western Avenue.

7:25 p.m., a reported at-large person was investigated on Main Street.

9:52 a.m., a welfare check was investigated on Middle Road.

11:11 p.m., a citizen was assisted on North Street.

Saturday at 5:45 a.m., a field interview was conducted on Skowhegan Road.

9:23 a.m., a motor vehicle accident was reported on Skowhegan Road.

10:13 a.m., a 911 call was investigated on Pirate Lane.

1:09 p.m., peace was restored after a reported domestic disturbance on Bard Drive.

2:57 p.m.., peace was restored after a reported disturbance on Mill Street.

4:58 p.m., a reported assault was investigated on High Street.

11:25 p.m., poor road conditions were reported in town and on Western Avenue.

Sunday at 5:09 a.m., an arrest was made at the police station.

6:55 a.m., an arrest was made after a search warrant was executed on Skowhegan Road.

12:40 p.m., erratic operation of a motor vehicle was reported on Norridgewock Road.

1:19 p.m., a 911 call was reported at Lawrence Junior High School on School Street.

4:47 p.m., a reported assault was investigated on Currier Road.

7:53 p.m., reported theft was investigated on Summit Street.

11:10 p.m., a reported motor vehicle accident was investigated on Main Street.

Monday at 5:21 a.m., a motor vehicle accident was reported on Norridgewock Road at Old Center Road.

8:16 a.m., a reported motor vehicle accident was investigated on Lawrence Avenue.

IN HARMONY, Sunday at 2:32 p.m., a civil complaint was investigated on Athens Road.

IN HARTLAND, Friday at 4:01 p.m., a juvenile reportedly threatened another juvenile with a knife at Somerset Valley Middle School.

IN LIBERTY, Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., an alarm was reported on Millstone Drive.

Thursday at 7:36 a.m., a personal injury accident was reported on Pinnacle Road.

1:26 p.m., a property damage accident was reported on Gove Road.

Saturday at 12:48 p.m., a business check was conducted on Pinnacle Road.

IN MADISON, Sunday at 8:49 p.m., a shots-fired complaint was taken from Main Street.

IN MONTVILLE, Saturday at 10:50 a.m., a traffic hazard was reported on Halldale Road.

12:51 p.m., a business check was conducted on Acadia Highway.

Sunday at 1:52 a.m., a 911 call was investigated on South Mountain Valley Highway.

IN OAKLAND, Friday at 3:40 p.m., a welfare check was conducted on FirstPark Drive.

8:31 p.m., a burglary alarm was investigated on Cottle Road.

Saturday at 12:34 a.m., peace was restored after a reported family dispute on Fairfield Street.

7:19 p.m., a burglary alarm was investigated at Camp Manitou; a water leak set off the alarm.

9:33 p.m., peace was restored after a reported domestic dispute on Water Street.

Sunday at 11:29 a.m., a burglary alarm was investigated on Kennedy Memorial Drive.

Monday at 6:46 a.m., a reported property damage accident was investigated on Church Street, near Belgrade Road.

7:48 a.m., a property damage accident was reported on Sawtelle Road.

IN PALERMO, Wednesday at 12:12 a.m., a property damage accident was reported on Belfast-Augusta Road.

Thursday at 1:35 p.m., a disturbance was reported on North Palermo Road.

Friday at 10:49 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Route 3.

Sunday at 8:06 a.m., a property damage accident was reported on North Palermo Road.

IN PALMYRA, Sunday at 11:55 a.m., police were called to assist another agency on Estes Avenue.

IN PITTSFIELD, Monday at 7:36 a.m., a complaint was investigated on Somerset Avenue.

8:20 a.m., a report of a disturbance was investigated on Detroit Street.

IN ROME, Friday at 10:54 a.m., a reported property damage accident was investigated on Augusta Road.

Saturday at 5:54 a.m., a reported personal injury accident was investigated on Augusta Road.

IN ST. ALBANS, Sunday at 4:12 p.m., police were called to assist another agency on Mason Corner Road.

IN SIDNEY, Friday at 3:58 p.m., a reported personal injury accident was not located on Lewis Road.

4:57 p.m., reported harassment was investigated on Sawtelle Drive.

4:57 p.m., a burglar alarm was investigated on Middle Road.

6:44 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Lewis Road.

8:30 p.m., a previously reported burglary was investigated on Belgrade Road.

Sunday at 12:11 p.m., illegal dumping was reported near the Transfer Station.

IN SKOWHEGAN, Sunday at 11:56 a.m., a complaint was taken from Bush Street.

4:19 p.m., police made an arrest following a report of a burglary in progress on Middle Road.

5:14 p.m., a harassment complaint was taken from Dore Street.

8:14 p.m., a robbery was reported on Beech Street. Police investigated.

Monday at 8:05 a.m., a harassment complaint was taken from Maple Street.

8:58 a.m., a complaint was taken from Greenwood Avenue.

IN THORNDIKE, Wednesday at 9:22 a.m., theft was reported at Mount View High School on Mount View Road.

1:10 p.m., criminal mischief was reported on Mount View Road.

Friday at 9:57 a.m., an alcohol offense was reported on Mount View Road.

Sunday at 6:11 p.m., a property damage accident was reported on Mount View Road.

IN UNITY, Sunday at 5:08 a.m., suspicious activity was reported on Bryant Road.

2:30 p.m., a traffic offense was reported on Main Street.

IN VASSALBORO, Friday at 1:43 p.m., tools were reported stolen from a residential garage on Whitehouse Road.

Sunday at 5:53 p.m., a 911 hang-up call was reported on Main Street.

6:05 p.m., a 911 hang-up call was investigated on McQuarrie Road.

IN WATERVILLE, Sunday at 2:35 p.m., a theft was reported at Tim Horton’s restaurant on Main Street.

3:33 p.m., an unwanted person was reported on Elm Street.

4:48 p.m., a theft was reported at Amici’s Cucina restaurant on Main Street.

5:08 p.m., a burglary was reported on Pleasant Street.

IN WINSLOW, Friday at 8:12 a.m., a theft was investigated on Benton Avenue.

8:36 p.m., a domestic dispute was reported on Bellevue Street.

Summonses

IN WINSLOW, Sunday at 12:21 a.m., Michael Joseph Mancini, 30, of 23 Clinton Ave., Apt. 301, summoned on charges of cultivating marijuana and the sale and use of drug paraphernalia.

Arrests

IN FAIRFIELD, Sunday at 6:55 a.m., Eleanor Brugger, 26, of 15 Deer Hill Road, Freedom, arrested on a charge of violating condition of release.

IN FARMINGTON, Feb. 28, Larry Thomas, 26, of Phillips, arrested on charges of violating conditions of release and criminal mischief.

IN FRANKLIN COUNTY, Thursday, Ronny J. Foote Jr., 35, of Stratton, arrested on charges of domestic violence assault and criminal mischief.

IN KINGFIELD, Feb. 29, Derek L. Bean, 24, of Kingfield, arrested on a charge of unpaid fines or fees.

IN OAKLAND, Sunday at 2:43 p.m., Christopher L. Chubbuck, 26, of 236 Oak St., Lot 2, Oakland, arrested on a charge of violating condition of release.

IN WINSLOW, Friday at 5:16 p.m., Ryan Lee Marden, 25, of 10 Maple St., Apt. 1, Oakland, arrested on warrants, on Halifax Street.

Saturday 10:29 p.m., Roland John Peters, 55, of 102 Clinton Ave., arrested on a warrant.

11:42 p.m., Zackery Ryan Eaton, 22, of 45 Elm St., Apt. 4, Waterville, arrested on a charge of domestic violence assault after an incident on Cushman Road.

IN PHILLIPS, Feb. 28, David A. Frisbie, 50, of Phillips, arrested on a charge of operating under the influence.

Feb. 29, Mark Cosenza, 60, of Phillips, arrested on a charge of criminal threatening.

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