News Release

# of School Visits conducted – 0

# of OUI Alcohol Arrests – 1

# of OUI Drug Arrests – 0

# of DV Arrests – 1

01-11-21

Corporal Daniel Ryan received a complaint of burglary at George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill. Vandalism to one classroom. Entry made through an unlocked door to the classroom.

01-12-21

Trooper Jeffrey Taylor arrested Stuart Flaherty (40) of Steuben for Operating Under the Influence as result of a traffic stop on the Unionville Road in Steuben for a lane violation.

01-14-21

Sergeant Jeff Ingemi responded to Princeton for a crash report where the operator had left the scene.  As a result of the investigation, Nicholas James (31) of Princeton, was summonsed for Failure to Report an Accident by Quickest Means.

On January 14, 2021, at approximately 9:15 a.m., Maine State Police responded to a fatal crash on Route 1 in Topsfield involving a 2020 Peterbilt tractor-trailer, owned by C&C Trucking incorporated out of Lincoln, hauling logs and a 2009 Ford pick-up truck, owned by Bushwacker and Sons Logging incorporated out of Cary. The operator of the pick-up truck, Tyler Dwyer (30) of Houlton, was deceased at the scene and a passenger of that truck was injured. The tractor-trailer was driven by Gregory Worster (58) of Kingman. Worster was driving north and Dwyer was traveling south.  The collision occurred in the northbound lane. Failure to maintain the proper lane and fatigue appear to be factors in this crash.  Sergeant Jeffrey Ingemi responded as the primary investigator and was assisted at the scene by Corporal Chris Smith, Trooper Darren Vittum, Trooper Corey Smith, Trooper Josh Lander, Detective Jason Fowler, Border Patrol, Indian Township Police Department, and Houlton Police Department. A crash reconstruction and forensic mapping are being conducted.  Princeton Fire Department, Danforth Fire Department, Calais and Danforth EMS, and Westerdahl’s Towing, The Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of Transportation also assisted. The investigation continues.

01-17-21

Trooper Kim Sawyer summonsed Jessica Francis (46) of Pleasant Point for Failure to Return to the Scene of an Accident after she reported a property damage crash on Route 1 in Robbinston.

Maine State Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred in Topsfield.
 
On January 14, 2021, at approximately 9:15 a.m., Maine State Police responded to a fatal crash on Route 1 in Topsfield involving a 2020 Peterbilt tractor-trailer, owned by C&C Trucking incorporated out of Lincoln, hauling logs and a 2009 Ford pick-up truck, owned by Bushwacker and Sons Logging incorporated out of Cary. The operator of the pick-up truck, Tyler Dwyer, 30, of Houlton, was deceased at the scene and a passenger of that truck was injured. The tractor-trailer was driven by Gregory Worster, 58, of Kingman. Worster was driving north and Dwyer was traveling south and the collision occurred in the northbound lane. Failure to maintain the proper lane and fatigue appear to be factors in this crash.

Sergeant Jeffrey Ingemi responded as the primary investigator and was assisted at the scene by Corporal Chris Smith, Trooper Darren Vittum, Trooper Corey Smith, Trooper Josh Lander, Detective Jason Fowler, Border Patrol, Indian Township Police Department, and Houlton Police Department. A crash reconstruction and forensic mapping are being conducted.

Princeton Fire Department, Danforth Fire Department, Calais and Danforth EMS, and Westerdahl’s Towing, The Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of Transportation also assisted. The investigation continues.
 

 Maine State Police have learned that two people died in the crash that occurred on Jan. 12, 2021.

 As a result of reconstruction and investigative efforts, police learned that a major police incident that was being investigated on the southbound side of I-95 caused traffic to slow on the northbound side. A Freightliner tractor-trailer loaded with large paper rolls being driven by Lakhveer Gill, 40, of Brantford, Ontario was traveling north, behind him was a 2014 Lexus RX230, driven by Geoffrey Gattis, 68, with his wife Elizabeth Gattis, 68, in the passenger seat, both of Falmouth. Both vehicles had slowed down, when an unloaded tractor-trailer driven by David Herring, 38, of South Portland, failed to recognize traffic had slowed and struck the Lexus from behind. The force of the impact pushed the car into the back of the first tractor-trailer, crushing the smaller vehicle. Both occupants were found deceased.

The investigation is ongoing. Speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors. Once the investigation is complete, it will be reviewed by the York District Attorney’s Office.

A Topsham man is facing multiple felonies after leading police on a high-speed pursuit from Kennebunk to York. 

On Jan. 12, 2021, law enforcement received approximately 6 calls regarding an erratic driver on I-95. Trooper Lee Vanadestine, saw the white 2002 Ford Super Duty pickup that was towing a U-Hail trailer. The trooper pursued the truck which failed to stop and continued at high rates of speed through three lanes of traffic. After witnessing the vehicle nearly strike other motorists, the Trooper attempted to end the chase by disabling  the trailer, but lost control of his cruiser and crashed into the guardrail on the median, disabling the cruiser and sustaining minor injuries.

Trooper Jarrot MacKinnon became lead on the pursuit. A Kittery police officer attempted to deploy spike matts to disable the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. 

A Kittery Police Lieutenant had parked in the mile marker 4.5 crossover in an attempt to assist in the pursuit. The truck rammed the Kittery Police Cruiser while the Officer was still inside. Kittery Police Lieutenant John Desjardins received minor injuries.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as David Stoddard, 49, of Topsham. He was taken into custody, inuring Trooper MacKinnon, and transported to York Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. He will be charged with Elevated Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Reckless Conduct, Aggravated Driving to Endanger and Eluding. Lt. Desjardins, Tpr. Vanadestine, and Tpr. MacKinnon were all treated and released.

Maine State Police and Kittery and York Police were involved in pursuing an erratic vehicle, and are also investigating a fatal accident that occurred on I-95 in southern Maine. 

On Jan. 12, 2021, around 1:17 p.m.,  Maine State Police were involved in a pursuit on the Maine Turnpike southbound from Kennebunk through York which ended with the suspect crashing in the center median at approximately mile marker 4 (near the border of York and Kittery).  This event slowed and stopped traffic in both the north and southbound lanes. Authorities received at least 6 complaints of erratic operation prior to the pursuit. Three law enforcement officers received minor injuries –  two as a result of the pursuit and one while taking the driver of the erratic vehicle into custody. The driver was transported to an area hospital for minor injuries and charges are expected.

At approximately 2:11 p.m., traffic had slowed considerably and stopped in both the north and southbound lanes. A vehicle travelling in the northbound lane was struck from behind by a tractor trailer and pushed under the stopped tractor trailer in front of it. This is a fatal accident and police are working to contact next of kin, clear the scene, and reconstruct the crash. The District Attorney’s Office will review this crash once the investigation is complete. I95 Northbound will be closed until further notice and traffic is being diverted to exit 3. Please seek an alternate route.

This is all the information available at this time, we will update as more information becomes available.

The Commercial Vehicle Unit, Kittery Police Department, York Police Department, and York Fire assisted in both the pursuit and fatal incidents.
 

The Maine Department of Public Safety is aware of the reports from the FBI about the potential for armed protests in every state capitol, including Maine, and takes them extremely seriously. 

The Maine State Police, through the Maine Information Analysis Center (MIAC), remains in contact with Federal partners – including the FBI, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and others – to maintain situational awareness about the potential for civil unrest activities. It is also tracking the potential for Maine-based civil unrest independently, analyzing intelligence and tips received, and will work with partners to respond appropriately and as needed. As of now, the Department of Public Safety, as a result of national reports, is specifically tracking and preparing for potential events in Augusta on January 17th and January 20th. The Maine National Guard is engaged in these planning discussions with the Department should additional support be needed. 
 
The Capitol building itself, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Legislature, is currently closed to the public and the Legislature is not using it to meet presently because of the pandemic. Furthermore, most staff from the Legislature, as well as those who work in surrounding State government buildings, are working remotely as a result of the pandemic. The Bureau of Capitol Police is the law enforcement agency responsible for protecting the safety of the State Capitol and the office buildings that comprise the seat of Maine’s government. It takes that mission seriously. In response to the events last week and new reports outlined by the FBI, the Capitol Police, with the support of the Maine State Police, has increased its presence in and around the Capitol. In the coming days, the Capitol Police will continue to adjust protocols appropriately, when and as needed, but, as a matter of longstanding practice, it does not discuss more specific operational details of its work. 
 
Our goal is to facilitate the peaceful and lawful expression of speech and to protect the welfare and safety of all Maine people, and we will continue to work to achieve that.
 

# of School Visits conducted – 0

# of OUI Alcohol Arrests – 0

# of OUI Drug Arrests – 1

# of DV Arrests – 0

01-09-21

Corporal Micah Perkins responded to a vehicle theft complaint in in Alexander where a vehicle was reported stolen during the night.  The vehicle had been found nearby in a snowbank close to the victims’ residence.  Investigation continues.

01-10-21

Trooper Owen Reed responded to a theft complaint in Blue Hill where money was stolen from a vehicle in the Walgreens parking lot.  The suspects, Sandra Dembowski (34) of Blue Hill, and Jennifer Newbury (40) of Sedgwick, were located and Newbury was summonsed for Theft.   Dembowski was summonsed for Operating After Suspension.  Sergeant Jeff Ingemi assisted.

Trooper Kim Sawyer arrested Wayne Clossey (31) of Dennysville for Operating under the Influence-Drugs after he was found stopped in the middle of the road, slumped over the wheel in Charlotte and failed Standardized Field Sobriety Tests.  Sergeant Greg Sawyer and Deputy Ashley Seiler assisted.

# of School Visits conducted – 0

# of OUI Alcohol Arrests – 0

# of OUI Drug Arrests – 0

# of DV Arrests – 0

12-31-20

Trooper Gavin Endre began investigating the report of an $800 theft in the town of Sullivan. The case continues.

Waterville Police Detectives and State Police Major Crimes Detectives continue to investigate a shooting occurring on Western Ave in Waterville on Jan. 2, 2021.  

A 911 call was received at the Waterville Police Department at approximately 11:52 a.m.  Waterville Police responded and were later assisted by Maine State Police Major Crimes - Central.  A 2-year-old male was initially transported to Thayer Hospital in Waterville with a gunshot wound to the head.  He was later transported to Maine Medical Center in Portland.  He is listed in critical condition at this time.

Investigation revealed one of the three siblings living in the home found the gun that was secured in a closet, loaded it, and a round was fired.  Police continue to investigate the incident and monitor the status of the juvenile. 
 

# of School Visits conducted – 0

# of OUI Alcohol Arrests – 0

# of OUI Drug Arrests – 0

# of DV Arrests – 0

12-23-20

On December 23, 2020, at approximately 12:23 p.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Deputies and the Maine State Police responded to a fatal crash on Old Route 1 in Jonesboro involving a single vehicle and single occupant. The operator of a gray 1989 Mercedes-Benz, Devin Lee (23) of Milbridge, died as a result of his injuries.  Lee was travelling North at the time of the crash.  Corporal Micah Perkins responded as the primary investigator and was assisted at the scene by Sergeant Jeff Ingemi, Trooper Keith York, Trooper Josh Lander and Washington County Sheriff’s Department.  Speed and alcohol are possible factors in this crash.  Lee was not wearing a seatbelt. Machias Ambulance, Jonesboro Fire Department and Machias Fire Department also assisted.  Investigation continues.

12-26-20

Trooper Rob Flynn summonsed Dustin Ramsdell (27) of Princeton, for Operating After Suspension after a traffic stop in Crawford.