BRUNSWICK

A tractor-trailer rolled over a guardrail on U.S. Route 1 south near Cooks Corner this morning, spilling fuel, blocking traffic and sending the driver to Mid Coast Hospital with undisclosed injuries.

Brunswick Fire and Police were called about 6 a.m. The male driver is believed to be the truck’s sole occupant.

Traffic at the scene initially was reduced to one lane and, two hours later, shut down entirely to allow a heavy wrecker access to  retrieve the overturned truck, but was re-opened shortly after 10 a.m.

Maine Department of Transportation crews arrived to pull out several sections of guardrail so Hunter’s Truck and Tire Service, from Lisbon Falls, could get at the crash site.

Because about 50-70 gallons of fuel leaked from a ruptured fuel tank, firefighters also notified the state Department of Environmental Protection. The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement unit of the Maine State Police was called to investigate the mishap. The 53-foot box trailer had only cardboard on it, firefighters said.

Prior to the accident, Brunswick Police recieved several calls from motorists, concerned that the truck’s driver was having trouble. They reported that the truck was driving erratically as it traveled between Bath and the eventual scene of the wreck. Deputy Chief Marc Hagan would not comment on the likely cause of the crash, but said that the investigation is on-going.