Two injured when driver attempts to use emergency crossover lane on I-95

The Nissan was totaled in the crash. (MSP photo)

PITTSFIELD, Maine - Two Maine women were injured on Saturday when their car collided with a truck while trying to use an emergency crossover lane to reverse direction on Interstate 95.

The crash occurred around 8:45 a.m. when a southbound 2005 Nissan Altima driven by Kaitlyn Hawkes, 28, of Eastport, attempted to use the crossover lane to head north. Hawkes, who had been in the travel, entered the passing lane to make the turn and was struck by a truck driven by 32-year-old Richard Pillsbury of Winslow, who was unable to avoid the crash, police said.

Hawkes was transported to Sebasticook Valley Hospital with nonlife threatening injuries. Her passenger, Tiffany Bowen, 33, of Pembroke, was Medflighted to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor with serious but nonlife threatening injuries. Pillsbury was uninjured.

Hawkes was charged with aggravated driving to endanger and operating with an expired license.

Anyone that witnessed the crash is urged to contact the Maine State Police and speak with Trooper Garret Booth.

The Maine Dept. of Public Safety took the opportunity to remind motorists that using crossovers is not permitted for any reason whatsoever and is highly dangerous to everyone driving on the interstate.