Woman, State Trooper Injured in Crash on I-95 in Smyrna

A two vehicle accident on I-95 in Southern Aroostook County Monday night sent a young woman and a state trooper to the hospital.

According to Sgt. Brian Harris of the Maine State Police, 19-year-old Jayde McNinch of Littleton was driving north in Smyrna when she hit some black ice and her car skidded off the road into the median.

Trooper Jill Monahan responded to the crash shortly after 8:30 p.m. and was standing in the median speaking with McNinch, who was still in her car.  While they were talking, a northbound 2005 Chevrolet pickup driven by 37-year-old Eric Clark of Houlton, careened out of control on the black ice, skidded into the median and struck the rear of McNinch’s car.

Sgt. Harris said the impact caused McNinch’s car to spin around and strike Trooper Monahan as she tried to move away, knocking her to the ground. McNinch was partially ejected from her car and dragged by her vehicle as it spun away.

Meanwhile, Clark’s pickup continued on and struck a tree. He was not injured in the crash, according to Sgt. Harris.

A family member drove McNinch to Houlton Regional Hospital where she was treated for leg and arm injuries and released late Monday night.  Houlton Ambulance transported Trooper Monahan to the hospital. She was also treated for leg and arm injuries and later released.

Sgt. Harris said both vehicles sustained significant damage and were towed from the scene.