News Release

On Monday, August 10, 2026, at approximately 1:20 AM, Maine State Police responded to an incident involving a tractor-trailer on the Turnpike southbound near mile marker 58 in Cumberland.

The initial investigation indicates that a tractor-trailer owned by Lowe and Bassett LLC was hauling asphalt for a paving project when an axle broke, puncturing the truck’s diesel tanks and hydraulic lines. The truck continued for approximately three-quarters of a mile, spilling several hundred gallons of diesel fuel before coming to a stop. The truck was partially in the right travel lane and was removed by Copp Motors.

The right southbound lane remains closed while crews work to clean up the spill. The closure is expected to remain in place for several hours, and motorists should expect delays in the area. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection and Maine Turnpike Authority are assisting with the cleanup.

On Sunday, August 9, 2026, at approximately 4:00 PM, Maine State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash on the Turnpike southbound near mile marker 66 in Gray.

The initial investigation indicates that 33-year-old Bright Appiah of Portland was operating a white 2018 Nissan Rogue southbound and had pulled onto the shoulder of the Turnpike near mile marker 66. As Appiah attempted to merge back into traffic, Appiah overcorrected while accelerating and lost control of the vehicle. The Nissan crossed into the median and struck the median guardrail. Appiah and the two passengers in the vehicle were transported to Maine Medical Center in Portland with non-life-threatening injuries. Several motorists stopped immediately following the crash to assist.

Within minutes, off-duty firefighters, EMTs and a doctor also stopped and rendered aid. The Maine State Police would like to thank those who stopped to help and provided assistance at the scene. The crash remains under investigation. Assisting the Maine State Police were New Gloucester Fire/EMS, Auburn Fire/EMS and the Maine Turnpike Authority.

On Friday, August 7, 2026, at approximately 9:39 PM, Maine State Police responded to a reported crash involving a motorcycle and an SUV on U.S. Route 1 in Hancock.

The operator of the motorcycle, 29-year-old Richard Ryan of Hancock, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The operator of the SUV was not injured. The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation.

Troopers are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who has information that could assist with the investigation to contact Trooper Bagley through the Bangor Regional Communications Center at 207-973-3700. No additional information is available at this time.

On Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at approximately 6:47 PM, Troopers responded to a report of a motorcycle crash in the median of Interstate 295 northbound near mile marker 18 in Freeport.

The initial investigation indicates that 78-year-old Edmund Goodman of Freeport was operating a 2016 Indian Springfield motorcycle northbound when he left the roadway to the left and traveled onto the grass-covered shoulder, where the motorcycle struck the raised edge of a crossover. The impact caused the motorcycle to overturn multiple times, ejecting Goodman.

Several medically trained motorists who were passing by immediately stopped and rendered aid; however, Goodman died at the scene from injuries he sustained in the crash. Investigators believe Goodman likely suffered a medical event moments before leaving the roadway. The crash involved only Goodman’s motorcycle.

The left northbound travel lane was closed for several hours while Troopers investigated the crash and crews cleared the scene. Assisting the Maine State Police at the scene were the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office, Yarmouth Fire and Rescue, the Maine DOT, and Copp Motors. The crash remains under investigation.

On Sunday, August 2, 2026, at approximately 6:55 PM, Maine State Police responded to a three-vehicle crash at the intersection of Route 1 and Old Route 1 in Gouldsboro. Multiple injuries were reported, and one vehicle had rolled over, trapping its occupants.

The initial investigation indicates that 46-year-old Courtney Washington of Bangor was operating a white 2024 Subaru Crosstrek northbound on Old Route 1 when she failed to stop at a stop sign. Her vehicle struck a 2025 Green Chevrolet Trailblazer operated by 39-year-old Heather Allen of Ellsworth, who was traveling eastbound on Route 1. The impact caused Allen’s vehicle to spin into the westbound lane of Route 1, where it was struck by a red 2014 Subaru Legacy which was traveling westbound on Route 1. The impact caused Allen’s vehicle to roll over. Allen was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.

A passenger in Allen’s vehicle was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Washington sustained minor injuries and was also transported to a local hospital. The operator of the Subaru Legacy was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.  

Route 1 was closed for several hours while Troopers investigated the crash and crews cleared the scene. The investigation into the crash remains ongoing. No additional information is available at this time.

On Friday, July 24th, at approximately 5:58 PM, the Franklin County Regional Communication Center received a 911 call reporting a shooting on Jobie Road in the town of Avon. Deputies from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office responded and located 53-year-old Jessica Cairnie, who was suffering from a single gunshot wound. Cairnie was eventually life-flighted to Maine Medical Center.

Due to the nature of the investigation, the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South and the Maine State Police Evidence Response Team responded. The initial investigation revealed that Cairnie was shot during an altercation over a child custody dispute involving another member of her family. Major Crimes Unit Detectives and members of the Evidence Response Team worked through the night and into Saturday, collecting evidence and conducting interviews.

The shooter was identified by investigators and is cooperating with law enforcement. This is an isolated incident, and there is no risk to the public. The investigation is ongoing as the Major Crimes Unit works with the Franklin County District Attorney’s Office.

The names of those involved are currently being withheld, as this is an active investigation.

South Portland - July 27, 2026. At approximately 4:00 AM, State Troopers responded to a report of a rollover involving a box truck, southbound at mile marker 2 on Interstate 295.

The preliminary investigation determined that the box truck, operated by 40-year-old Jose Cancel of Newport, Rhode Island, was traveling northbound when the driver swerved to avoid three deer in the roadway. The truck overcorrected, struck the median guardrail, overturned, and came to rest blocking the southbound travel lanes. Cancel was not injured in the crash.

The truck was transporting household goods, and its cargo was scattered across the roadway. Troopers have opened one lane but remind motorists to expect delays.

UPDATE: At approximately 10:30 AM on Monday, July 27th, all lanes going southbound in the area were opened to traffic.

On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at approximately 12:54 AM, Maine State Police responded to a report of a stabbing in the Town of China. The initial investigation determined that 36-year-old Jacob Hebert of Lewiston, stabbed a 47-year-old man from Oakland before fleeing the scene in a black Jeep Cherokee. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and later discharged.

The investigation indicates the suspect and victim were known to one another. There is no ongoing threat to the public. A temporary arrest warrant was issued after Hebert was not initially located.

At approximately 4:00 PM on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, investigators received information that Hebert had returned to the area. A Trooper located his Jeep on Deer Hill Road and monitored the vehicle until additional units arrived. A traffic stop was conducted, and Hebert was taken into custody without incident.

Hebert was charged with Elevated Aggravated Assault and transported to the Kennebec County Jail, where he is being held without bail. The investigation remains active and ongoing.

On Monday, July 20, 2026, at approximately 3:33 PM, Troopers from Troop I responded to a four-vehicle crash on Interstate 95 northbound near mile marker 123 in Sidney.

The initial investigation determined that traffic had slowed due to a Trooper on an active traffic stop. A 2004 Dodge Ram being operated by 58-year-old Derrick Forbes of Brewer was unable to avoid the slowed traffic and struck the rear of a 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander. As a result of the rear end crash Forbes’s pickup truck sideswiped a 2011 Honda Pilot, followed by an additional sideswipe to a 2017 Toyota Tundra. The driver and passenger in the Outlander were transported to Maine General Medical Center in Augusta with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Honda Pilot was transported to Thayer Hospital in Waterville with non-life-threatening injuries.

Both lanes of travel were briefly shut down, until all vehicles and debris were moved to the right lane. The right lane was then shut down until all vehicles and debris were removed.

The crash remains under investigation. Troop I Troopers were assisted by MSP’s Traffic Safety Unit, Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office, Sidney Fire Department, Delta Ambulance, Dostie’s Towing & Ready Road Towing. 

The Maine State Police remind traveling motorists to maintain a safe following distance during heavy traffic and to slow down. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information related to it is asked to contact Trooper Keenan Blier at 207-973-3700.

Edinburg – July 18, 2026 – At approximately 7:50 PM, Troopers from the Maine State Police responded to a report of a single-vehicle crash in the median of Interstate 95 near mile marker 210. Upon arrival, troopers and emergency personnel determined that the lone occupant, Bruce Ireland, 61, of Howland, was deceased inside the 2012 Honda Accord he was operating.

While the crash remains under investigation by the Maine State Police, preliminary findings indicate that Ireland was traveling northbound on wet roads at a high rate of speed and not wearing a seatbelt when he lost control of the sedan, which then entered the wooded median. 

Traffic was reduced to one lane for about three hours while emergency personnel worked the incident. Howland Fire and Robinson’s Towing assisted State Police at the scene.

Maine State Police remind drivers to exercise caution, allow extra time, and drive carefully, especially in inclement weather, such as heavy rain.

Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.