FREEPORT

State Police say a Canaan man was killed Saturday when his tanker truck collided with a car that had spun out of control on Interstate 295 in Freeport. 

Police said Richard A. Clark, 70, was traveling southbound when a car spun out in front of him. Clark attempted to maneuver to avoid a collision, however, both vehicles struck the median guardrail. Clark’s truck overturned, coming to a rest in the median, and Clark was killed instantly.

The driver of the car, Ashley Williams, 27, of Woolwich, was taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland with minor injuries. State Police described Williams’ car as “demolished.”

The crash took place at mile 22 1/2, near a Freeport exit and was reported at around 10:15 a.m. Motorists had been told to find alternative routes to avoid the crash site. Traffic was backed up on Route 1 as far north as Brunswick.

North and southbound lanes were reduced to one lane for six hours while police investigated the crash and equipment was brought to the scene to remove the tractor trailer. 

Thousands of gallons of milk had spilled from the tanker. Some of the cargo was off-loaded before the tanker was righted and removed from the crash site about 4 p.m., when all lanes reopened.  

Troopers continue to investigate the crash and have not determined why Williams apparently lost control of her Toyota Corolla.

Earlier Saturday, troopers were asking for any witnesses to the crash to call Maine State Police in Gray at (207) 657-3030.