ROCKPORT — A two-vehicle accident on Route 1 near the State of Maine Cheese in Rockport flipped a Volkswagen Beetle off the highway and onto its roof in a foot of snow, Thursday afternoon, Jan. 3.

The accident occurred at 3 p.m., stalling traffic along the road for several minutes. Rockport Fire Department, Camden First Aid and Rockport police responded. Northeast Ambulance, whose offices are in the State of Maine Cheese building, were also first responders, helping to check for injuries.

According to Rockport Police Officer Craig Cooley, John Wegand, IV, of Virginia, was traveling north on Route 1 in his Ford 250 pickup, following his wife, who was in a different car. Wegand lost sight of her and pulled over to the right side of the highway. He then attempted to pull back onto the road, and change direction, just as another northbound car, a Volkswagen Beetle, came by him. As Wegan turned into the lane, he clipped the passenger door of the Beetle, which was operated by Alison Warren, 16, of Rockport, according to Cooley.

That impact caused a chain of events sending Warren off the right side of the highway, over a snowbank and then flipping her car onto its roof.

Warren was unable to exit the driver's side window and crawled out of the passenger side window.

"She was a very lucky girl," said Cooley.

According to Cooley, Wegan was unable to see Warren come behind him as the setting sun was blinding his eyes.

Camden First Aid Association assessed Warren for injuries and released her at the scene.

Rockport firefighters helped to clear the road of glass and metal, and kept traffic moving one lane at a time to avoid backups. Camden Exxon loaded the Beetle onto its flatbed and removed it to Camden. Rescue workers cleared the scene soon thereafter.

Editorial Director Lynda Clancy can be reached at lyndaclancy@PenBayPilot.com; 706-6657.