New Vineyard Collision Between Car And Tractor Trailer

State Police say the car's driver became distracted before hitting a tractor trailer in New Vineyard.

The accident happened Monday morning at approximately 11:18 a.m. Police say 18-year-old Nathaniel Phillips got distracted by something inside his car while driving in the southbound lane of Route 27 in New Vineyard, near the New Portland town line. His vehicle veered into the northbound lane where it struck a tractor trailer driven by 55-year-old Richard Morgan of New Gloucester.

Smith and his 16-year-old passenger suffered minor injuries, and the passenger was transported to a local hospital. Morgan wasn't hurt in the accident. Smith has been charged with Operating Left of Center.

Maine State Police were helped at the scene by fire departments from New Vineyard and New Portland, Dutch Gap Auto, Sanders Auto, and North Star Ambulance.

The crash remains under investigation.