crash

From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO.

On Saturday, January 29, 2022 at 10:5 a.m. Maine State Police responded to a crash on I-95 at mile 83 northbound in Lewiston. The driver of a red Toyota pickup truck was in the passing lane and traveling too fast for road conditions when he came upon a Maine Turnpike Authority (MTA) plow truck. The driver of the pickup attempted to go around the plow on the median side where there was no room. He then hit the left wing of the plow causing it to bend back and puncture the tank that holds the brine solution which is used to treat the roads.  

There were no injuries to either driver.  

Other than this crash Troopers are reporting light traffic today with only a couple of slide offs.

The Maine State Police and the Maine Bureau of Highway of Safety  would like to remind drivers to give plows some room. Do not follow too close behind and do not crowd the plow when passing.

On Saturday, January 8, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. the Augusta Regional Communications Center began taking reports of a wrong-way vehicle traveling northbound in the southbound lane, at mile marker 22 in Wells on the Maine Turnpike. The vehicle, a gray Subaru, made it to the southbound Kennebunk Service Plaza where it struck a white BMW sedan head-on. Another southbound motorist in a Hyundai SUV then struck the disabled white BMW. Witnesses told Maine State Police the Subaru, driven by 45-year-old Charity Reynolds of Virginia, attempted to conduct a U-turn on the Turnpike and became disabled in the southbound service plaza. Minor injuries were sustained and no one involved in the crashes was transported to the hospital. Further investigation revealed Reynolds struck another vehicle in Wells on I-95 before crashing in Kennebunk. Reynolds, who is already on bail for OUI, was charged with violating conditions of release, OUI alcohol, and driving to endanger. Reynolds was summonsed and will appear in court at a later date.

MSP was assisted by Arundel, Biddeford, and West Kennebunk Fire Departments.
 

Poor driving conditions contributed to several crashes that closed Interstate 95 near Dixmont, Etna, and Plymouth.  Interstate 95 Southbound remains closed and traffic is being diverted off the interstate at Exit 167.  The interstate is expected to remain closed for the next 4-6 hours.

This morning at approximately 9 a.m., the Maine State Police responded to numerous reports of vehicles off the road on Interstate 95 in the areas of mile markers 172-162 southbound.  Icy road conditions that developed quickly during the morning commute contributed to multiple motor vehicle crashes involving both passenger cars and tractor-trailers.  Several people have been injured from these crashes, but nothing at this point that appears to be life threatening. Maine State Police continue to investigate. No further details are available at this time.  Troopers are working with DOT to clear the roadway.  Traffic is being diverted off the interstate at Exit 167 southbound while crews work to clear the roadway.  We are advising motorists not to travel in that area until it is opened and to watch their speed and following distance from other vehicles while driving.  

Troop E has been assisted by its commercial vehicle enforcement unit, traffic safety unit, Maine Forest Rangers, Maine Warden Service, and Maine DOT.  
 

Two drivers escaped serious injury after a head-on collision over the holiday weekend.

On Nov. 26, 2021, Michael Deabay, 72, of Presque Isle, was driving his 2020 GMC Terrain SUV East bound on Route 163 in T11 R4 Wels when he lost control of his vehicle on the snow-covered roads and crossed the center line.  Linda Mastro, 69, of Portage, was traveling West bound on Route 163. Mastro noticed that the vehicle in the opposite lane was swerving out of control. Mastro attempted to get her vehicle over towards the ditch to avoid contact. Mastro was not able to get out of the way and Deabay struck her head on. Both vehicles sustained disabling damage in the crash. Both Deabay and Mastro were taken to the hospital by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries. It is believed that poor weather conditions, road conditions, and speed were factors in the crash.   

From Maine State Police Troop F

Amish receive minor injuries after a vehicle collided with horse and buggy

On Nov. 16, 2021, Nancy Perkins, 77, of Patten, was driving north on State Route 11 (Station Road), Stacyville, in her 2019 Ford when she truck the back of a an Amish horse/buggy being driven by Lydia Miller, 31, of Stacyville and occupied by Miller’s three daughters, also going north on Station Road.  Miller and the three girls were ejected from the buggy and crashed on the ground to the right of the roadway.  Perkins’ vehicle continued north striking a mailbox on the Station Road before coming to rest on the opposite side of the driveway.  

Perkins was not injured in the collision.

Miller had some abrasions to her hands but did not want to be seen by the on-scene EMTs.

Two girls were taken by Patten Ambulance to a doctor in Patten for minor injuries.

The horse did not appear to be injured and was removed from the scene by other members of the Amish community.

Perkins’s vehicle was towed from the roadway by Hayes Towing (Stacyville).
 

A green 2000 Jeep Cherokee was stolen from Alder Brook Hill Rd in Franklin on the evening of Nov. 6, 2021.  The vehicle was abandoned on the Eastbrook Road in Franklin at approximately 9:10 PM after going off the road and hitting a pole.  

Trooper Einar Mattson of Troop J is looking for information about who may have taken the vehicle or who may have picked up the driver Sunday night in Franklin around 9:30-10:00 PM.

Anyone with information should call 207-973-3700 x. 9, and request Tpr. Mattson.

From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO

On Monday, November 1, 2021 shortly before 7 a.m. Maine State Police responded to a two vehicle crash in Charleston. A 2019 Chevy Silverado pickup, driven by 44-year-old Peter Speed of Bradford was traveling southbound on Main Road when he failed to navigate a corner and crashed head-on into a 2011 GMC Acadia driven by 74-year-old Stephen Hurd of Corinth. Hurd was transported to Northern Light EMMC with serious but non-life threatening injuries. Speed was not injured in the crash.

Driver distraction is believe to be the cause of the crash which remains under investigation.   
 

(Note: Story released Nov. 2, 2021, posted Nov. 7, 2021)

From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO

On Monday, October 25, 2021, at approximately 4:00 p.m. Maine State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Rt. 1 in Searsport (near Anglers Restaurant).

A gray 2015 Lexus driven by 74-year-old Ken Bailey and his passenger 66-year-old Deborah Bailey, both from Yucca Valley, California, were traveling northbound on Rt. 1. At the same time the driver of a 2010 maroon Highlander, driven by 34-year-old Ivan Reynolds of Rockport was traveling southbound on Rt. 1. An initial review of the crash indicates that at some point one of the vehicles crossed the center line causing a head-on crash.  

All occupants of the vehicles had to be extricated by the Jaws of Life. They were all transported to Waldo General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Ken and Deborah Bailey were later transferred to Eastern Maine Medical Center.

Maine State Police say that wearing seatbelts played a significant role in reducing the severity of the injuries in that crash.
 

On Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at 10/19/21 at approximately 8 p.m. a Maine State Police Trooper came upon a crash near mile marker 129 northbound on I-95 in Waterville. A 2006 Chevy Pickup being driven by 25-year-old Jace Tillson of Clinton was driving too fast when he attempted to go out around a 2015 Mercedes SUV being driven by 65-year-old Kemily Benes of Embden. Tillson attempted to pass Benes in the breakdown lane but struck Benes in the passenger side. Tillson then lost control of his pickup truck. It rolled over into the breakdown lane just before the Messalonskee Stream Bridge and caught fire. The interstate was shut down for approximately 1 ½ hours while emergency crews worked to put out the fire and remove both vehicles. 
There were no injuries.
 

On Thursday, September 23, 2021 at approximately 1:40 a.m. 22-year-old Ethan Chase of Durham was traveling east bound on the Falmouth Spur when he lost control of his car and crashed into a toll booth. 

The impact of the crash caused Chase’s car to catch fire and heavily damage a section of the toll booth. The shattered glass and debris from the crash struck 46-year-old John Schwabe of Westbrook. He was transported to Maine Medical Center for lacerations to his head and face.  He is expected to be released from the hospital today. Chase was not injured in the crash.

The initial investigation shows speed and alcohol were factors in the crash. Chase has been charged with Aggravated OUI.

The crash remains under investigation. No additional details are available at this time. 

The Falmouth Fire Department assisted in the crash. An engineer from the Maine Turnpike Authority will be on scene today to access the damage.

The high speed toll lanes were not impacted.