The stretch of Route 1 that was closed all afternoon and early evening Oct. 22 because of an automobile accident reopened at 7:30 p.m. and power was restored at 9:30 p.m.

The accident occured at approximately 2:10 p.m. when James Clark, 36, of Union, was heading north on Route 1, lost control, went off the road and slammed into a power pole. Waldoboro fire and rescue teams, as well as Waldoboro police, responded to the accident and resultant fire in the 2000 Toyota Corolla. Route 1 was immediately closed near the intersection of Manktown Road and traffic was rerouted onto Old Route 1, which runs parallel to Route 1 there near the Knox-Lincoln county line. Warren Fire Department also responded to the accident and assisted with traffic control.

Upon impact, Clark jumped out the car and pursued his dog, which had run into the woods.

"Everyone thought he was fleeing," said Waldoboro Police Chief Bill Labombarde. "He wasn't. He was getting his dog."

No one else was in the vehicle.

Clark returned to the highway and was checked by emergency response personnel and transported to Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta. He suffered abrasions, then was treated and released. He was subsequently issued a summons for operating after revocation of habitual offender status.

His dog, a Boxer, was found during the night of Oct. 23, and taken to an animal shelter.