PITTSFIELD, Somerset County, Maine, Oct. 16, 2026 — A Maine Department of Transportation worker was seriously injured Wednesday morning, October 14, when a construction barrel struck him during a highway work zone crash on Interstate 95 in Pittsfield, according to state police.
Maine State Police said the Bangor Regional Communications Center received word of the crash at about 8:17 a.m. Troopers responded to I-95 northbound near mile marker 150, where road work had narrowed traffic to a single lane.
Investigators said a silver pickup truck towing a black dump trailer struck a concrete Jersey barrier along the right side of the roadway and then hit an orange construction barrel. The barrel was reportedly knocked into a 56-year-old DOT worker from Westfield who was helping unload Jersey barriers with a work crew at the time.
The worker was taken to Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital in Pittsfield with serious injuries that are not considered life-threatening.
Authorities say the pickup driver did not stop and continued north on I-95. Investigators believe the driver was aware a crash had happened but left the scene regardless. Witnesses reportedly told police the driver appeared to turn and look back before speeding off.
The case remains under investigation. We wish the injured worker a full recovery.
Where Work Zone Hit-and-Run Crashes Tend to Happen
Highway construction zones create a mix of conditions that make crashes more likely and more severe. Lane shifts, narrowed shoulders, and temporary barriers squeeze traffic into tighter spaces, giving drivers less room to react if a vehicle drifts or clips a barrier. Workers on foot are often only a few feet from moving traffic, separated by nothing more than a barrel or a painted line.
Long, undivided stretches of interstate under construction are a common setting for this type of crash because traffic speeds stay close to highway levels even as the roadway narrows. Drivers who are unfamiliar with the shifted lane pattern, distracted, or unwilling to slow down can clip barriers or barricades without realizing a worker is nearby until it's too late to stop.
Hit-and-run behavior tends to follow the same pattern regardless of location: a driver involved in a minor-seeming collision, like striking a barrel or barrier, may not immediately grasp the consequences and chooses to keep going. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, one in five cyclist injuries occurred in hit-and-run crashes in 2023, a reminder that leaving the scene is not limited to crashes involving only vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does driving speed make a difference in work zone crashes? Yes. Higher speeds reduce the time a driver has to react to a lane shift or an object in the roadway, and they increase the force involved if a collision does happen.
Why is distracted driving especially risky in construction zones? Work zones require extra attention because lane markings and barriers can change daily. A driver who glances at a phone or dashboard for even a few seconds can miss a shifted lane or a worker standing near the travel lane.
What should someone do after being involved in or witnessing a crash like this? Call 911 immediately, stay at the scene if it's safe to do so, and provide a detailed description of any vehicle that left, including direction of travel and any identifying features.
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Crash in Pittsfield, ME
If you witness a hit-and-run crash, try to safely note the vehicle's color, make, direction of travel, and license plate number, then call 911 right away. Even partial details can help investigators identify a driver who fled.
Anyone involved in or affected by this type of crash should seek medical evaluation promptly, even if injuries seem minor at first. Shock can mask pain, and some injuries take hours to become apparent.
If you have information about a hit-and-run, report it to local law enforcement as soon as possible. Tips from witnesses are often what allow investigators to track down drivers who leave the scene.
