MSP Investigating Fatal Crash Involving Two MaineDOT Workers

On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at approximately 9:37 AM, the Maine State Police responded to a fatal pedestrian crash on I-95 southbound near mile marker 127 in Waterville. The Maine Department of Transportation had closed the traveling lane at the end of the southbound on-ramp from Kennedy Memorial Drive using cones and a posted stop sign as part of bridge construction work, with MaineDOT workers present at the site. The initial investigation indicates the operator of a gray Kia minivan failed to stop at the posted stop sign and then attempted to enter the passing lane (lane one) of I-95 southbound, where the minivan was struck by a tractor-trailer which was traveling southbound.

As a result of the collision, the minivan was forced into the work zone, striking three Maine Department of Transportation workers who were working at the site. The impact propelled two of the workers over the bridge and onto Kennedy Memorial Drive below. The two workers were pronounced deceased at the scene. They have been identified as 60-year-old James Brown of Waterville, and 51-year-old Dwayne Campbell of Waterville. A third worker was transported to a local hospital with injuries believed to be non-life-threatening. The operator of the minivan, 34-year-old Samantha Tupper of Augusta had two young children in the vehicle. The children were not injured. Tupper was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the tractor trailer was not injured.

Due to the crash, all lanes of I-95 southbound were shut down for several hours while the Maine State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit conducted its investigation. One lane of I-95 southbound has since reopened. Additionally, Kennedy Memorial Drive was shut down westbound, and one lane was shut down eastbound for several hours to allow emergency response and investigation. The crash remains under investigation. The Maine State Police is being assisted by the Waterville Police Department, Waterville Fire Department, Waterville Public Works, Delta Ambulance and Dostie’s Towing.

The Maine State Police extend our condolences to the family, coworkers and loved ones of the MaineDOT workers impacted by this fatal crash.