A driver whose tractor-trailer truck crashed and burned on the Maine Turnpike in Kittery early Sunday morning escaped, but the fiery crash forced police to close the southbound lanes for several hours.
Maine State Police identified the truck driver as Eric Morris, 65, of Portland. State police said Morris fell asleep at the wheel of his truck and went off the highway, striking a guardrail in the vicinity of mile marker 1.5 southbound in Kittery. The truck, which was hauling bottles of Poland Spring Water, rolled over into the center median guardrail before bursting into flames.
Shannon Moss, spokeswoman for state police, said Morris was able to get out of the burning truck on his own accord. He was transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital in New Hampshire with injuries that were not life-threatening.
The crash was reported at 4:09 a.m. The southbound lanes reopened around 9:30 a.m., according to Moss. No other motor vehicles were affected by the crash.
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