On Thursday, Aug. 16 at approximately 9:49 a.m., Lincoln County sheriff’s deputies responded to a reported rollover involving a loaded fish bait truck on U.S. Route 1 near Mexicali Blues. The fish truck, a 2004 International box truck owned by Purse Line Inc. of Sebasco Estates was eastbound on Route 1. The driver, Christopher Grendell, 41, of Brunswick, entered the breakdown lane to avoid an eastbound vehicle stopped in traffic making a left turn.

Grendell lost control on the soft shoulder and the truck rolled onto its side. The truck came to rest on the eastbound side of the road along the embankment. When the truck rolled, its load of baitfish in barrels spilled onto the ground.

Central Lincoln County Ambulance transported Grendell to Miles Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Grendell was wearing a seat belt. He was the only person in the truck. Speed and driver inattention are believed to be factors in this collision. Grendell was charged with Giving False Information of a Motor Vehicle Accident due to statements made to the investigating deputy. The initial appearance date is Oct. 25 in Wiscasset Unified Court.

Due to the commercial vehicle involved, a Maine State Police Commercial Vehicle specialist responded and assisted with the investigation. Also assisting with the event were Newcastle Fire Department, Lincoln County Emergency Agency and the Maine departments of environmental protection and transportation. The truck and the spilled cargo of approximately 35 barrels of baitfish were removed after 3.5 hours of cleanup.