NASHVILLE PLANTATION, MAINE — A loaded log truck jackknifed on an icy stretch of Portage Road Monday morning and struck a Maine Forest Service patrol vehicle that was helping shut down the roadway during recovery efforts for an earlier crash, according to Maine State Police.

Maine State Police said they received a report at approximately 9:36 a.m. on January 5, 2026, about a vehicle off the roadway on Portage Road. Troopers learned a 2007 Kia Spectra had slid off the icy road and struck a guardrail. A Maine Forest Service Ranger in the area responded first and provided traffic control while state police were en route.

As a wrecker worked to retrieve the Kia, the Forest Ranger attempted to shut down the roadway north of the crash scene using emergency lights on the patrol vehicle. At that moment, a 2016 Western Star log truck with a loaded trailer rounded a blind corner near the scene. State police said the tractor-trailer tried to brake but began sliding on the icy roadway, then jackknifed and struck the rear of the Maine Forest Service vehicle.

The Forest Ranger was outside the vehicle when it was hit. However, the driver of the Kia was inside the Maine Forest Service vehicle at the time of the impact and was taken to the hospital by Ashland Ambulance Service with minor injuries.

State police said the Kia and the Maine Forest Service patrol vehicle were both towed due to disabling damage. The Forest Ranger and the log truck driver were not injured.

The Ashland Fire Department responded and provided traffic control while the crash was investigated by the Maine State Police. Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Maine Forest Service, Maine State Police Commercial Vehicle Unit (Troop K), Ashland Ambulance Service, and Ashland Fire Department. The investigation remains ongoing.

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