Auburn, ME (September 5, 2026) – Two men were seriously injured after a Ram pickup towing a flatbed trailer left southbound Interstate 95 at about 8:35 p.m. on Thursday, September 3.
The pickup traveled off the right side of the highway, struck a speed limit sign and guardrail, then jackknifed before catching fire. Investigators believe 40-year-old Juan-Manuel Munoz Rosquete of Tampa, Florida, may have fallen asleep while driving.
Munoz Rosquete and his male passenger were able to get out before flames spread through the truck. Both were taken to a hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Southbound lanes were temporarily closed while emergency units worked on the roadway, and they were later reopened. Munoz Rosquete is expected to receive a citation for operating without a license.
The circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation. We hope both men recover fully.
Driver Fatigue Can Quickly Reduce Highway Control
Drowsiness can affect attention, reaction time, judgment, and steering control. On an interstate, even a brief lapse in alertness can allow a vehicle to travel a considerable distance before the driver recognizes that it has drifted from the lane.
Towing a trailer introduces another factor because it follows the tow vehicle’s movement. Sudden steering changes or roadside contact can cause the trailer and pickup to move at different angles, increasing the chance of a jackknife or loss of stability.
Roadside barriers, signs, and uneven ground can add further forces once a vehicle leaves the pavement. Fire may create another hazard after severe vehicle contact, especially when fuel, electrical components, or heated mechanical parts are involved. Vehicle speed and trailer weight can also influence how difficult the sequence becomes to control.
