News Release

From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO

On Monday, October 25, 2021 at approximately 11:46 p.m. Maine State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on I-95 northbound at MM 18 in Wells. 

The preliminary investigation shows 43-year-old Cornelius Hegarty III of Salisbury, Massachusetts was driving his 2013 Toyota Corolla north on I-95 when he crashed into a 2021 Subaru Forester occupied by 64-year-old Carol Funk and 65-year-old Steven Funk of Scarborough. Both were transported to York Hospital for minor injuries. 

Hegarty was arrested and charged with Operating Under the Influence. He was summonsed to appear in court at later date. Prior to the crash, a complaint was reported to dispatch about Hegarty driving erratically. 
Hegarty was not injured.  

The crash remains under investigation.
 

From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO

On Monday, October 25, 2021, at approximately 4:00 p.m. Maine State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Rt. 1 in Searsport (near Anglers Restaurant).

A gray 2015 Lexus driven by 74-year-old Ken Bailey and his passenger 66-year-old Deborah Bailey, both from Yucca Valley, California, were traveling northbound on Rt. 1. At the same time the driver of a 2010 maroon Highlander, driven by 34-year-old Ivan Reynolds of Rockport was traveling southbound on Rt. 1. An initial review of the crash indicates that at some point one of the vehicles crossed the center line causing a head-on crash.  

All occupants of the vehicles had to be extricated by the Jaws of Life. They were all transported to Waldo General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Ken and Deborah Bailey were later transferred to Eastern Maine Medical Center.

Maine State Police say that wearing seatbelts played a significant role in reducing the severity of the injuries in that crash.
 

# of School Visits conducted – 0

# of OUI Alcohol Arrests – 1

# of OUI Drug Arrests – 0

# of DV Arrests – 0

10-14-21

Trooper Kim Sawyer summonsed Cephedos G. McCabe (24) of Whiting for Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle>150 days after a traffic stop for speed on the Charlotte Road in Calais.

10-18-21

Corporal Jeff Taylor and Sergeant Jeff Ingemi responded to Whiting for a serious injury crash that a Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy came across on the Halls Mills Road.  A pick-up truck driven by Braden Pottle (20) of Lubec, crashed into a tree.  Braden suffered serious injuries along with his three passengers.  Speed and alcohol were factors in the crash and charges are pending.  None of the occupants were wearing seatbelts.  Washington Sheriff Office, Machias Ambulance, Life Flight and Whiting Fire Department assisted.

10-22-21

Trooper Owen Reed arrested Nicholas Jennings (23) of Castine, for Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol after a traffic stop in Castine. 

New Gloucester woman was injured after losing control of her car and hitting a tree.

On Saturday, October 23, 2021 at approximately 2:22 p.m. Maine State Police responded to a single vehicle crash in New Gloucester.

50 year old Tasha Dostie of New Gloucester was traveling northeast on Snow Hill Rd when her 2002 Volkswagen Beetle left the road. Dotsie overcorrected, went into a sideways spin and struck a tree. New Gloucester Fire had to use the jaws of life to extricate Dostie from car. During that time the road was shut down. It re-opened about 15 minutes later. Dostie was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. 
The investigation showed speed was a factor in the crash.
 

UPDATE:  The situation has been resolved and the shelter in place/lock doors request has been lifted. Thank you for your assistance. 

Due to a critical incident in Mars Hill, law enforcement are asking for the public to shelter and lock their doors. We will update as the situation evolves.

Media inquiries should be directed to the Aroostook County SO for more information.

On Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at 10/19/21 at approximately 8 p.m. a Maine State Police Trooper came upon a crash near mile marker 129 northbound on I-95 in Waterville. A 2006 Chevy Pickup being driven by 25-year-old Jace Tillson of Clinton was driving too fast when he attempted to go out around a 2015 Mercedes SUV being driven by 65-year-old Kemily Benes of Embden. Tillson attempted to pass Benes in the breakdown lane but struck Benes in the passenger side. Tillson then lost control of his pickup truck. It rolled over into the breakdown lane just before the Messalonskee Stream Bridge and caught fire. The interstate was shut down for approximately 1 ½ hours while emergency crews worked to put out the fire and remove both vehicles. 
There were no injuries.
 

# of School Visits conducted – 0

# of OUI Alcohol Arrests – 1

# of OUI Drug Arrests – 0

# of DV Arrests – 0

10-09-21

Corporal Gavin Endre stopped Russell Boynton (61) of Lamoine. Russell was summonsed for Operating After Suspension as well as other motor vehicle violations.

10-12-21

Trooper Kim Sawyer received a complaint of theft.  Packages that had been delivered in Alexander have been stolen. Investigation continues.

10-13-21

Trooper Kim Sawyer received a complaint of a truck hauling single wide trailer and forcing vehicles off the road. Incident occurred by Ayers Junction Road in Charlotte. Thomas Farnham (25) of Baring Plantation was summoned for Attaching False Plates and Operating After Suspension.

10-14-21

Trooper Jarid Leonard responded to Hancock to investigate a rollover crash. Devin Beach (24) of New Brunswick was operating a fully loaded tractor trailer truck. Devin made a sharp turn that resulted in his trailer going into the ditch and ultimately rolling over. No one was injured in the crash. Hancock County Volunteer Fire Department, Maine DOT, and Dave’s Towing assisted.

10-15-21

Corporal Gavin Endre located a vehicle on the lawn of a residence in Lamoine. The operator Amber Wiggins (21) of Orland was arrested for Operating Under the Influence.

10-16-21

Corporal Gavin Endre responded to a two-vehicle crash in Gouldsboro. Veronica Gomm, (36) of Verona Island, the operator of one of the vehicles crossed the center line and struck an oncoming vehicle. Only minor injuries occurred. Dave’s Towing removed both vehicles. 

# of School Visits conducted – 0

# of OUI Alcohol Arrests – 0

# of OUI Drug Arrests – 0

# of DV Arrests – 0

10-06-21

Corporal Blaine Silk responded to a fatal single motor vehicle accident at 5244 Stud Mill Road, T34 MD BPP.  Deceased at the scene, Hunter Davies (21) Orrington. Excessive speed a major contributor to the accident. A passenger in the Ford Ranger pickup was uninjured. Sergeant Daniel Ryan, Trooper Einar Mattson, Trooper David Olmstead and Game Warden Allan Curtis, Forest Ranger Nicholas Bolduc and the Aurora and Old Town Fire Departments assisted.

Corporal Blaine Silk cited Shaylee Overlock of Bangor for Possession of a Scheduled Drug. Sergeant Daniel Ryan assisted.

The annual observance at the Maine Law Enforcement Officers Memorial will take place on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at 10 a.m. The granite memorial, located on State Street near the Maine State Capitol in Augusta, is dedicated to Maine law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
 
Maine State Police Detective Ben Campbell is the latest name to be added to the memorial, making for a total of 87 law enforcement officers. Detective Campbell was killed on April 3, 2019, when he was struck by a vehicle tire while assisting at the scene of a disabled vehicle on I-95 in Hampden. 
 
It is with profound sadness that the number of Maine law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty continues to grow. Hancock County Sheriff’s Deputy Luke Gross was struck and killed by a vehicle in Trenton on Thursday, September 23, 2021.
 
The Maine Law Enforcement Memorial was dedicated on May 25, 1991, by the Maine Chiefs of Police Association. The Executive Director and former Falmouth Police Chief Ed Tolan said, “this observance is an opportunity for law enforcement officers to honor Detective Ben Campbell and all of the fallen officers before him who gave their lives in service to our state.”
 
In attendance this year to honor and remember the service and sacrifice of these officers will be police officers from across the state, families of the fallen, dignitaries, and Governor Janet Mills who will deliver the keynote address.  

In case of inclement weather, the observance will be moved to the House Chambers of the State House. 
 

# of School Visits conducted – 0

# of OUI Alcohol Arrests – 1

# of OUI Drug Arrests – 0

# of DV Arrests – 2

09-27-21

Trooper Kim Sawyer summonsed Julie Johnson (56) of Machias for leaving the scene after she hit a parked car in front of the Cigarette Shopper in Machias and left.

09-29-21

Corporal Jeff Taylor responded to a theft complaint in Lamoine where a white trailer was reported stolen in the past week.  Investigation continues.

10-02-21

Trooper Jarid Leonard arrested Cody Colbeth (28) of Machiasport for Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol.