FAIRFIELD -- A Fairfield man is recovering today at a Portland hospital after suffering extensive injuries in three-car crash on Middle Road on Tuesday, police said.

Robert Libby, 61, was southbound toward Fairfield at 12:26 p.m. Tuesday when his 1997 Chevrolet Lumina crossed the center line and struck a garbage truck coming the other way, said Officer Shanna Blodgett.

"The green Lumina crossed the center line into the trash truck's lane, (pushed) the entire driver's side of the Lumina into the front, driver's-side tire of the trash truck, according to witnesses and the impact (evidence)," Blodgett said.

"The Lumina did several 360s in the roadway before coming to a rest, actually pointing northbound. He had to be extricated; the whole side was completely totaled. "

Libby suffered a possible femur fracture and rib fractures, according to Blodgett.

He also is diabetic, which is being investigated as a possible reason for the crash.

His wife, Tammy Libby, 44, a front seat passenger, also was injured.

Both husband and wife were taken by Delta Ambulance to a Waterville hospital and he was then airlifted to Maine Medical Center in Portland.

A third passenger in the Lumina, Robert Burnell, 22, was not injured.

Paul King, 66, of Oakland, driver of the northbound Gregory's Disposal Trash Truck, also was not injured.

Kimberly Sawtelle, 34, of Sidney, in a small Toyota Corolla behind Libby, also was not injured, but her car was heavily damaged when the Lumina struck it during a spin, Blodgett said.

"She said she heard a deafening sound and saw the car in front of her (the Lumina) doing a 360. She tried to avoid it by going into the breakdown lane, but it hit the rear quarter panel on the driver's side," the officer said.

Alcohol was not involved, seat belts were in use and no charges will be filed, Blodgett said.