WEST FORKS — A man was flown by LifeFlight helicopter Friday morning after he was hit by a sleeping driver while he was walking on U.S. Route 201, police said.

William Norman, 69, of the Forks, was walking south along the highway about 7 a.m. on his way to go fishing when he was struck by a northbound 2005 Dodge pickup truck, according to a press release from the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office.

The driver — Kevin Crossman, 21, of Waterville — was on his way to work and told police he fell asleep at the wheel, according to the release. He was not injured in the crash.

Brandon Berry, a volunteer with West Forks Rescue, responded to the call. Norman told rescuers he tried to get out of the way of the oncoming truck, Berry said later Friday. Norman was momentarily pinned between the truck and the guardrail, then thrown about 15 feet and landed in a patch of poison ivy, Berry said.

“It was horrible, just an absolutely horrible situation,” Berry said. “He was just trying to go fishing.”

Berry said Norman may have broken both legs and a hip. Rescuers called in a helicopter because one broken leg was a compound fracture. Norman was flown to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.

Norman was stoic, despite his serious injuries.

“What a trouper he was. He didn’t complain one bit. He was just happy to be alive, I think,” Berry said.

Berry added that Crossman was cooperative and apologetic, and stayed at the scene throughout a preliminary investigation.

The accident is being reconstructed by the sheriff’s office with assistance from Maine State Police. It will be reviewed by the district attorney’s office, according to the release.

Ben McCanna — 861-9239

bmccanna@centralmaine.com