HOPE — A Camden First Aid Association ambulance crew transported Daniel Dodge to Pen Bay Medical Center Wednesday evening, Nov. 14, after Hope firefighters cut through the windshield and helped him climb out of his crushed pickup.

After he was treated and released for minor injuries, Knox County Sheriff deputies arrested Dodge, 49, of Hope, for operating under the influence and operating a motor vehicle while his license was suspended.

The accident occurred on Route 235 (Hatchet Mountain Road) in Hope at approximately 7:15 p.m. as Dodge, driving a Ford 250, was apparently heading west and failed to negotiate a hard curve near Payson Path. The truck landed on its side on a patch of grass. Hope firefighters and members of the Camden access team responded, as well as Camden First Aid.

When Knox County Sheriff''s Deputy David Johnson arrived, he observed Dodge standing inside the vehicle, unable to get out because the truck was on its side, the Sheriff's Office said.

After Dodge was freed from the truck by firefighters, he was helped into the ambulance, said Hope Fire Chief Clarence Keller. Dodge was alone in the vehicle.

Knox County Sheriff's Sgt. Mike Sprague was also at the scene, and after Dodge visited the hospital, he was transported to Knox County Jail, and released on bail. His first court appearance is scheduled for the end of January, according to the sheriff's office.

 Firefighters helped clean up the scene as Camden Exxon loaded up the truck and moved it to Camden.

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