Old Town, ME — June 27, 2025 One person was injured following a tanker truck accident that occurred at around 12:00 P.M. on Interstate 95.

According to reports, a water tanker-truck operated by Robert Pierce was traveling on Interstate 95 when it lost control for unknown reasons and left the roadway, where it overturned and entered a wooded area, ejecting the driver.

When first responders arrived on the scene they found that the driver had sustained non life-threatening injuries and transported him to the hospital. No other vehicles were involved in the crash, and officials are investigating what caused the crash.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a tanker truck leaves the road and overturns, it’s not just a matter of regaining control—it’s a question of what led to the loss in the first place. With no other vehicles involved, the investigation must focus on the vehicle itself and the conditions that made a rollover possible.

1. Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
Single-vehicle rollovers involving commercial trucks should always prompt a full reconstruction. Investigators need to look at the truck’s trajectory, tire marks, load weight, and whether the driver attempted any steering or braking before the crash. Tanker trucks carry high centers of gravity and are especially sensitive to sudden maneuvers. Without detailed scene analysis, it's impossible to determine whether this was driver error, an evasive maneuver, or something entirely different.

2. Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash?
With no outside interference, a mechanical issue becomes a likely contributor. Steering failure, brake problems, or suspension instability could all cause a truck to veer off course. Tankers also rely heavily on load control systems—if those systems failed, a shift in the liquid load could destabilize the truck in seconds. If the vehicle wasn’t thoroughly inspected, a contributing equipment failure could go completely unaddressed.

3. Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
Modern commercial vehicles typically store detailed operational data—speed, braking input, steering angle, and more. That data can show whether the driver was reacting to something or if the vehicle responded unpredictably. GPS logs and electronic logging devices (ELDs) may also provide insight into the truck’s recent movements and driver activity. This information is essential to understanding what happened before the wheels left the pavement.

Rollover crashes don’t just happen—they follow a pattern of mechanical, environmental, or behavioral triggers. The challenge is making sure none of those triggers are overlooked.

Takeaways:

• Tanker rollovers require detailed reconstruction, especially with no other vehicles involved.
• Load shifts, brake issues, or steering failure may be key contributing factors.
• Onboard vehicle and route data are essential to understanding the cause.