A Woolwich man was in critical condition at Maine Medical Center on Aug. 27 after the truck he was driving struck a tree near the intersection of routes 127 and 128 in that town late Tuesday night, Aug. 26, authorities said.

Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Fitzpatrick had pulled over the gray 2002 Dodge Ram truck driven by Stephen A. Smith, 47, of  13 Wagon Wheel Lane shortly after 11 p.m. on Aug. 26, according to a sheriff’s department press release.

With the truck allegedly speeding northbound on Route 1, Fitzpatrick had turned on a siren and emergency lights and tried to pull it over, the release states.

“The driver of the truck refused to stop and turned left onto Route 127 ... His operation was erratic as he (traveled) northerly until reaching the Route 128 ... intersection whereupon the driver pulled his truck over and stopped for the deputy. The (truck’s) speed during this time frame had been around 50 mph up until the time it stopped,” the release continues.

The truck was stopped on Route 128 when Fitzpatrick went to approach the driver, who then allegedly sped away, northbound.

About half a mile from the Route 127 and Route 128 intersection, the driver lost control of the truck, which left the road and crashed into a tree, the release states. Smith, who was not believed to be wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the truck.

Fitzpatrick and Deputy Robert Mayer, who had come to help Fitzpatrick after the initial stop, gave Smith first aid until crews from the Woolwich Fire Department and Bath Rescue got to the scene. Smith was taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland, where he was in critical condition, the release states. No new information on Smith’s condition was immediately available Wednesday evening.

“At this point in time it is unclear as to why Mr. Smith failed to stop,” the release states.

Maine State Police Trooper Niles Krech is investigating the accident; Bath Police Officer Andrew Booth is reconstructing it.

The crash closed Route 127 from 11:16 p.m., Aug. 26 to 3:45 a.m. Aug. 27, according to the press release.