HARTFORD — A Buckfield man with a traumatic head injury was taken to Central Maine Medical Center after losing control of his vehicle and striking a utility pole. 

Joel Warren, 38, was in serious condition as of Wednesday evening, Oxford County Deputy Nate Bowie said Thursday. His status was unknown as of Thursday evening. 

Bowie said witnesses at the scene reported Warren was traveling along Route 140 in Hartford around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday night when he rounded a sharp corner about 2 miles north of the Buckfield Junior-Senior High School and lost control of his vehicle.

The car, a 1999 Dodge Caravan, left the roadway, flipped upside down, struck a utility pole and caught on fire.

Witnesses and Buckfield emergency responders were able to extinguish the flames before they spread to Warren, who was trapped inside, he said. 

Warren suffered a head wound during the incident, which police believe was caused when an air canister in the back of the truck became airborne during the crash. 

Turner emergency responders were called in to extricate Warren with the Jaws of Life. 

Speed is believed to be a factor, and the case remains under investigation, Bowie said. 

The vehicle was a complete loss. 

ccrosby@sunjournal.com