9 Vehicles Involved in Several I-95 Crashes in Sidney, Maine, on Wednesday Afternoon

A car fire led to multiple other crashes on I-95 in Sidney Maine on Wednesday afternoon, according to a Thursday press release from the Maine Department of Public Safety.

Spokeswoman Shannon Moss said a white Chrysler 300 caught fire while driving Northbound on Wednesday afternoon at about 3:40 pm.

The driver of the Chrysler, 46-year-old Gerald Foss of Winslow, was able to safely pull the vehicle to the side of the road and call for help. Shortly after calling 911, a Maine State Trooper and Kennebec County Sheriff's Deputy arrived on the scene at mile marker 119.5 northbound.

While police were standing by with the driver waiting for fire, the officers witnessed another crash involving four vehicles at 3:47 p.m., according to the press release. Moss said that the crash was the result of traffic slowing down as they were approaching the fully engulfed Chrysler 300.

This secondary crash caused the fire response to be delayed.

Moss reported that traffic was attempting to merge into the passing lane which resulted in a slower than normal traffic.  She noted that a loaded 18-wheeler hauling debris materials reportedly failed to slow down in traffic in time and subsequently struck three other vehicles in front of him pushing them all off the roadway.

The department said that one person in one of the vehicles was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

While the secondary crash caused traffic to come to a complete stop in both lanes for a period of time, the crash was cleared in just under an hour, according to the press release.

Eventually, Sidney Fire personnel were able to arrive and put out the blaze, though it was reported that the vehicle was destroyed by the fire.

Thankfully, no injuries were reported from the vehicle fire.

As traffic was still backed up from the vehicle fire and second crash, a third crash, also involving four vehicles, took place on the Interstate, the Department of Public Safety said.

When State Troopers arrived at the third crash, four vehicles were sitting along the left shoulder and partially in the passing lane, Moss reported.

Initial investigation indicates that the driver of the first vehicle, a black 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling northbound in the left lane when vehicles ahead of her began slowing down due to traffic up ahead. The driver said she rear-ended the vehicle in front of her causing a chain reaction crash.

Moss reported that four people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.