2005 GMC There isn't much left of this 2005 GMC Z71, driven by Richard Houdlette last Friday night when he went through a barricade on Rt. 1 and came to a stop on the Nequasset Bridge, wedged between the beams, haning about 50 feet from the Nequasset stream. (Photo Arlene Whitney)

Late Friday evening, March 7, Richard D. Houdlette's truck was hanging from the beams of the Nequasset Stream Bridge after he went through a barricade closing off a section of Route 1 in Woolwich.

Houdlette's truck became wedged between the steel beams of the bridge about 50 feet above the stream. When members of the Woolwich Fire Department arrived, Houdlette was still in the truck, unconscious.

Once they were able to get him out, Houdlette was taken to Maine Medical Center by Northeast Ambulance with possible chest injuries, but was later released. In a telephone conversation Monday morning to check on Houdlette's condition, the 43-year-old resident of Richmond told the newspaper, "I'm up and kicking."

Sagadahoc Sheriff's Department Corporal Adam Baker said, "I was amazed he was not seriously hurt."

According to the Sagadahoc Sheriff's Department report, the accident occurred at 11:10 p.m. Baker, who was patrolling the area, received a call from the state police that a vehicle had crashed through the barricades.

Baker drove to the barricade, saw that one of the barricades had been broken, and followed the tracks of the truck. As he approached the bridge, he saw the cab of the truck above the road level with a yellow light flashing. When he got closer he saw that the front and back tires were wedged against the I-beams on the bridge.

Hunter Truck and Tire from Lisbon Falls was called to the scene to remove the truck. Chains were put on the truck and it was lifted out with a crane.

Selectman Dale Chadbourne, who was also at the accident said, "He (Houdlette) was a lucky man."

According to Temple, an investigation into the accident is pending, and charges could be filed against Houdlette following the completion of the investigation.