A car veered off Interstate 295 in Maine on Sunday, crashing into the Cobbosseecontee Stream after the driver fell asleep at the wheel. Authorities say the driver escaped just before a state trooper arrived and dove underwater in an attempt to rescue him.
Subscribe
Breaking News
Giving out game balls after Patriots earn hard-fought win vs. Dolphins
Photo by Necn
Key Takeaways:
- The incident occurred early on Sunday, around 7 a.m.
- Police report that the driver fell asleep and lost control of the Audi sedan.
- A trooper tried to free the driver but found the vehicle’s doors blocked by oil and water.
- The driver had already escaped and swum to safety.
- Recovery efforts required closing the left lane of I-295 for about an hour.
The Sunday Morning Crash
Police responded to an emergency call on Sunday morning when a car was reported to have driven off Interstate 295 at the West Gardiner-Gardiner line in Maine. According to authorities, the incident happened around 7 a.m., when the driver lost control of his Audi sedan and crashed into the Cobbosseecontee Stream.
The Moment of Impact
Preliminary investigations indicate that 27-year-old Brandon Nale of Winslow fell asleep while driving, causing his car to swerve off the highway. The vehicle left the road between two guardrails, struck a sign and a concrete barrier, then plunged into the stream.
A Trooper’s Attempted Rescue
A Maine state trooper responded quickly to the scene. With the vehicle submerged, the trooper entered the water, hoping to reach and rescue the driver. However, as he dove around seven feet below the surface, he encountered oil in the water that prevented him from opening the car doors. He remained in the water for several minutes before realizing the driver was no longer inside.
A Narrow Escape
Unbeknownst to the trooper, Nale had managed to open the vehicle’s door while underwater and swim to safety. He made his way to a nearby residence, where he alerted others and was then taken to Maine General Hospital in Augusta. Officials report that he is expected to survive.
Vehicle Recovery and Investigation
With the driver safe, authorities turned their attention to recovering the submerged sedan and clearing the accident scene. A state police dive team helped remove the vehicle, which required closing the left lane of I-295 for about an hour. The investigation into the crash remains ongoing, but police say drowsy driving appears to have been a significant factor.
