Multi-Vehicle Crash Shuts Down Maine Turnpike in Scarborough

On December 27, 2024, at approximately 6:04 PM, State Police received numerous reports of a significant crash southbound near mile marker 42 on the Maine Turnpike in Scarborough.  Traffic was already congested in the area due to other crashes when a 2017 U-Haul, driven by Jason McAvoy, 59, of Old Orchard Beach, collided with a tanker truck operated by Kenneth Openshaw from Massachusetts.  The force of this collision propelled the tanker forward, striking a 2023 Subaru driven by Thomas Gillis, 32, also of Old Orchard Beach. This caused a chain reaction, resulting in the Subaru rear-ending a 2005 Dodge Ram operated by Zachary Taylor, 31 of Searsmont, shutting all three lanes southbound.

When troopers arrived, they found McAvoy trapped inside the U-Haul. The Scarborough, Portland, and South Portland Fire Departments and several tow trucks quickly responded to ensure his safe extraction. LifeFlight promptly landed nearby and transported McAvoy to Maine Medical Center in Portland while other drivers received treatment at the scene. The State Police Crash Reconstruction and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement assisted Turnpike Troopers and conducted a thorough investigation.  Investigators believe driver fatigue and inattention are the main contributing factors to the crash.