February

On Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at approximately 5:00 PM, the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in Milford for a well-being check. Upon arrival, two deceased individuals were discovered and the deaths at the time were considered suspicious. The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office along with the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit North investigated the deaths. The deceased individuals were transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where autopsies were performed on Thursday, February 29, 2024. The OCME has determined the manner of death in both cases as suicide. Given the manner of deaths the identities of the deceased will not be released.

On Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at approximately 5:00 PM, the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in Milford for a well-being check. Upon arrival, two deceased individuals were discovered and the deaths are considered suspicious. The deceased individuals were transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where autopsies will be performed to determine manner and cause of death. The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit North was called to assist the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office with the investigation which is ongoing. At this time, law enforcement does not believe there to be an ongoing threat to the public. Additional information will be provided at a later time.

On Monday, February 19, 2024, at approximately 8:10 AM, the Waterville Police Department responded to a reported shooting outside a residence at 18 South Grove Street in Waterville. As a result of the shooting one person is deceased. The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where an autopsy was performed on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. The deceased has been identified as 22-year-old Justin Iraola of Winslow. The cause of death was due to multiple gunshot wounds. The manner of death is not being released at this time. There is no danger to the public and additional information will be released as the investigation dictates it’s appropriate to do so.

On Monday, February 19, 2024, at approximately 1:45 PM, Maine State Police took numerous reports of a single-vehicle crash on the southbound side of the Maine Turnpike in York at Mile Marker 7. The responding Troopers found a 2023 Dodge Pickup Truck had left the roadway and crashed into the tree line. As a result of the crash the vehicle and several trees caught fire which were extinguished by the York Fire Department. The Maine Turnpike remained open throughout the investigation with only the right lane closed to protect the emergency personnel on scene. The vehicle was occupied by a driver and no passengers. The driver did not survive the crash. The Maine State Police is working with the Office of Chief Medical Examiner to positively identify the driver. Until the driver is positively identified the name will not be released. Anyone with information about the crash is urged to contact Trooper Swiatek at 207-624-7076. The Maine State Police was assisted on scene by the Maine Forest Service, York Fire Department, York Police Department, Maine Turnpike Authority Maintenance Crews, and National Wrecker Service.

On Monday, February 19, 2024, at approximately 7:17 PM, the Maine State Police responded to a crash in Saco, at mile marker 37 northbound, involving a tractor-trailer truck and two other vehicles. The initial investigation indicates that the operator of a Volvo S40 sedan, 53-year-old Deirdre Winberg of West Bath rear-ended a Jeep Compass. The Jeep was operated by 33-year-old Alicia Preston of Portland. The crash resulted in the Volvo spinning out and coming to a stop in the middle of the three lanes directly in front of a tractor-trailer truck resulting in a significant crash between those two vehicles. The jeep after being rear-ended was able to continue up the roadway stopping safely. The tractor-trailer truck belonging to, Three Lions Logistics Inc., of Andover Massachusetts, was operated by 36-year-old Norvel Jackson of Fairburn, Georgia. The tractor-trailer truck ended up through the median guard rail resulting in a closure of all three lanes northbound and the passing lane southbound for several hours. Troopers were able to keep northbound traffic moving in the break-down lane at all times. Winberg suffered critical injuries. She was transported to Maine Medical Center where she succumbed to her injuries. Preston was transported to Maine Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the tractor-trailer truck was not injured. The crash remains under investigation.  

On Monday February 19, 2024, at approximately 4:03 PM, the Augusta Regional Communications Center started receiving 911 calls regarding a motor vehicle, operating erratically on Interstate 295 northbound in Freeport. Tr. Tyler Maloon was north of the offending vehicle and waited for the vehicle to approach.

Tr. Maloon located the vehicle, a Chevy pickup truck at 4:08 pm, near Exit 22 Northbound on 295. Tr. Maloon attempted to stop the vehicle utilizing his emergency lights and siren but the vehicle failed to stop. Tr. Maloon pursued the vehicle northbound and attempted to separate the offending vehicle from other motorists.

The vehicle came to a stop north of exit 28 on 295 and the male operator was found to be elderly, and suffering from a medical/mental health event. An adverse driving report will be filed with the State Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Traffic in the area of mile marker 28 was backed up as a result of the erratic operator and subsequent pursuit. Troopers responded to two separate secondary crashes. The crashes involved 6 total vehicles and there were minor injuries. The road was limited to one lane for approximately 35 minutes while the vehicles were being removed. Assisting on scene was the Brunswick Police and Fire Departments, MaineDOT,  Atlantic Coast and Copp Motors.

On Monday, February 19, 2024, at approximately 8:10 AM, the Waterville Police Department responded to a reported shooting outside a residence at 18 South Grove Street in Waterville. As a result of the shooting one person is deceased. A second person was shot at but ultimately they were not injured. The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where an autopsy is expected to be performed tomorrow. The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit is assisting the Waterville Police Department with the investigation. There is no danger to the public. Additional information will be released as the investigation continues.

On Monday, February 19, 2024, at approximately 11:45 AM, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Maine State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Route 2 in New Sharon. Initial investigation indicates that the driver of a maroon 2007 Ford Focus was pulling out of Tuttles Auto Sales to turn left (eastbound) onto Route 2 when the driver of a gray 2022 Dodge Ram was unable to stop, striking the Ford Focus. The driver of the Ford Focus was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger was transported via LifeFlight to Maine Medical Center with critical injuries. The driver of the Dodge Ram, 64-year-old Shawn Dunning of Jackman was not injured. The name of the deceased and injured passenger are not being released pending notification of next of kin. Route 2 was shut for approximately two hours. The roadway is now clear. The crash remains under investigation.

On Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at approximately  5:30 AM, Troopers from the Central Field Troop executed a search warrant at 693 Canaan Road in Pittsfield. The search resulted in the seizure of 32 grams of Cocaine Base, 5.5 grams of Fentanyl, Oxycodone, 13lbs of processed marijuana, prescription pills, and firearms. The homeowner, 46-year-old Michael Wyllie was arrested for Aggravated Trafficking of Fentanyl, Cocaine Base, and Marijuana, Possession of Schedule W Drugs (Oxycodone), Four counts of Possession of Schedule Z Drugs, and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. 

43-year-old Jamie Ramsdell of that address, was arrested for Violating Conditions of Release, Unlawful Possession of Schedule W Drugs Fentanyl, Cocaine Base, and Suboxone. 47-year-old Jennifer Hight also of that address, was arrested for Unlawful Possession of Schedule W Drugs Fentanyl and Cocaine Base. 

All three were transported to the Somerset County Jail. Wyllie’s bail was set at $50,000 dollars. Ramsdell’s bail was set for $10,000 dollars, and Hight’s bail was set for $5,000 dollars. Please contact the jail for booking photos.

On Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at approximately 4:05 AM, the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint of a disturbance at 1089 Woodman Hill Road in Minot. Deputies responded to the residence and found the home engulfed in flames. Deputies were in the process of escorting the homeowners from the residence when they were fired upon by a male subject at the end of the driveway. Androscoggin Sergeant 43-year-old Randy Williams was struck by gunfire as were several vehicles. Androscoggin Deputies and Mechanic Falls Officers who were responding to the scene confronted the gunman and were able to take him into custody on the roadway at the end of the driveway.

Androscoggin Deputies transported Sgt. Williams from the scene directly to Central Maine Medical Center in a Sheriff’s cruiser where he is currently being treated for a gunshot wound to his upper right leg. He is expected to survive. The homeowners were not injured.

The gunman has been identified as 42-year-old Corey Hamel of Minot. Hamel was staying at the residence. Hamel is a prohibited person on probation for three separate counts of violation of conditional release. Hamel was transported from the scene and was later charged with Aggravated Attempted Murder and Arson. Hamel will be arraigned on Friday, February 16, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Lewiston District Court.

State Police and Fire Marshal Investigators will be on scene throughout the day and evening to process the scene.