NORTH WINDHAM – A Windham man was seriously injured Tuesday morning after striking a Fairpoint Communications utility truck at the intersection of Route 302 and Shore Road, close to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in North Windham.

James Callaghan, 47, was traveling eastbound on Route 302 when he suddenly accelerated and struck the rear of the Fairpoint truck, coming to rest underneath the truck’s rear axle, Windham Police Sgt. Peter Fulton said.

Fulton credits an airbag for saving Callaghan’s life. However, he was knocked unconscious and the windshield was “completely taken out,” Fulton said.

Investigators have yet to interview Callaghan since he was unconscious when police officers arrived at 11:30 a.m. The operator of the Fairpoint truck, Michael Pallozzi, 49, of Lewiston, suffered minor injury when he was ejected from the utility truck as a result of the impact.

Pallozzi, Fulton said, was just exiting his truck after repositioning the vehicle for further work on telephone lines at the Whites Bridge Road/Route 302 intersection. Looking in another direction when the collision occurred, Fulton said, Pallozzi was catapulted from the top step leading to the driver’s side door. The truck was pushed about 3 feet forward as a result of the impact. Fulton said Pallozzi was thrown a short distance and suffered minor abrasions. He initially declined medical transport, but later was sent to Maine Medical Center at Fairpoint’s request.

Fulton said Callaghan wasn’t driving distracted, as no cell phone was found in the vehicle. Police are still investigating the cause and will interview Callaghan in the hospital once he is conscious. He remained unconscious at the scene and was rushed to surgery upon arrival, Fulton said.

“Something caused him to speed up suddenly, so it’s still under investigation and too early to say,” Fulton said.

On Wednesday, Callaghan was listed in serious condition at Maine Medical Center.

Fulton said Route 302 remained closed for about an hour after the crash until ambulances could transport the victims. Travel was limited to one lane for another 21?2 hours as crews cleaned up the site.

The accident ended two busy days for Windham public safety personnel. Fulton said springtime usually causes an uptick in serious incidents, and this week’s traffic tie-ups on Route 302 and River Road (closed Monday due to a propane tank scare) signal the start of the busier driving season.

“You can always anticipate it. As soon as the weather starts to warm up a little bit, we are always busy when the season begins. It’s not unusual by any stretch, but it has been a busy week,” Fulton said.