ST. GEORGE — A man was transported to a local hospital after the car he was driving crashed into the trees near 361 River Road (Route 131), in St. George, Tuesday, July 22.

At approximately 10:34 a.m., St. George Fire and Ambulance services were called to a bend in the road, near Long Cove Road, for a report of a vehicle rollover in the trees. South Thomaston Fire Department was dispatched as mutual aid to assist with extrication of the driver, Mark Shapiro, 60, of Saint George. 

At least twice, people at the scene were heard to say of the driver (and sole occupant), “that was one lucky guy.”

According to Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy Alcala, tracks from the eastbound car drifted into the opposite lane in front of 361 River Road, and mowed a path through underbrush parallel to the pavement, before the car went over a rock wall, through some trees where it went airborne, hit and took down a large tree, and then landed and rolled to its final stop.

First on-scene responders reported the driver to be in and out of consciousness, according to Alcala.

The crash has been attributed to a “medical event,” according to Knox County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Patrick Polky.

Automaster Collision dragged a chain down into the ditch and hooked it to the car’s under carriage. Using one tow truck, the car was slowly winched up the embankment. At the crest of the hill, the chain was taken from one tow truck and replaced by a flat bed wrecker, which hauled the car from the scene.

River Road reopened to traffic at approximately 11:50 a.m.

Shapiro has been charged with Operating After Suspension and Failure to Provide Insurance/Failure to Register a Motor Vehicle greater that 150 days.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com