Two crashes keep first responders busy in Rockport

Fri, 07/14/2017 - 12:30pm

    ROCKPORT — Two separate crashes, both involving two vehicles, kept first responders busy in Rockport on July 11 and 12.

    Vinal Street was the location of the first crash when a commercial dump truck rolled over and landed on top of a Chevrolet pickup truck July 11.

    At about 10:50 a.m., a 2002 Volvo dump truck driven by Ralph Jones, of Montville, was making a left turn onto Vinal Street heading north, with its dump body in the upright position. The top of the truck’s body struck the power lines, causing it to veer out of control and roll over on its side and land on top of a Chevrolet pickup truck that was parked on the shoulder of the road, according to Rockport Officer Travis Ford.

    Jones was uninjured and was able to exit the dump truck. The pickup truck, which sustained heavy damage, was unoccupied at the time of the crash.

    Ford said that the utility lines were snagged when the dump truck tipped over. Central Maine Power arrived on the scene to check the electrical poles, which did remain intact.

    Both vehicles are owned by Deane Enterprises of Warren.

    Automaster Collision Center, of South Thomaston, was able to get the dump truck back to its upright position without causing any damage to the nearby telephone poll. Rockport firefighters spent over two hours at the crash scene cleaning up.

    Then on July 12 at about 4:15 p.m., first responders were on the scene of another crash on Commercial Street involving two vehicles.  

    Ford, who also responded to the second crash, said that a 2017 BMW driven by Albert Lombino,of Vero Beach, Florida, was heading northbound on Commercial Street and as it was stopped in the road from traffic, it was struck from behind by Temporo Vallejo, of Ohio, who was driving a 2015 Ford pickup truck.

    Vallejo was attempting to make a left turn into the State of Maine Cheese parking lot when he sideswiped the rear end of Lombino’s vehicle.

    The vehicles then skidded across Commercial Street into the southbound lane and came to rest on the shoulder of the road.

    Ford confirmed that both drivers were not distracted at the time of the crash.

    The drivers each had a passenger in their vehicles and all escaped any injuries.

    It was a busy two days for the first responders and Rockport Fire Chief thanked the firefighters for their continued dedication to calls during business hours.

    “We wouldn't be where we are today without you guys,” said Peasley.

    Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com