MSP Investigating Wrong Way Driver on I-295 in Portland

On Monday, November 4, 2024, at approximately 11:50 AM, the Bangor Regional Communications Center started taking calls of a wrong-way driver going northbound in the southbound lanes of I-295 in the city of Portland between exits 7 and 8. Troopers from Troop I began responding to the area. Yarmouth Rescue was traveling northbound at the time and saw the 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser going the wrong way. The ambulance turned around to try to get the driver’s attention. The driver positioned the ambulance at an angle on I-295 to block the wrong-way vehicle. The driver of the wrong-way vehicle began backing up when she saw the ambulance had stopped up ahead of her. A Trooper pulled up to the wrong-way vehicle with its cruiser’s emergency lights on and the driver stopped. The Trooper was able to put the vehicle in park and get the keys. The driver was a 78-year-old female from Westbrook who appeared to be having a medical event. She was initially trying to get to Mercy Hospital, so Yarmouth Rescue, the ambulance that stopped to help transported her there. The vehicle was towed from the scene. MaineDOT assisted in a lane closure while the scene was being cleared up. The Portland Police Department also assisted on scene.