News Release

Maine’s April storm is bringing rain, snow and poor driving conditions.

On Friday, April 16, 2021, between 5am and 6am, Maine State Police (MSP) responded to three separate crashes on the Turnpike; all due to hydroplaning.

At 5:52am MSP responded to a crash at Mile 15 Southbound in Ogunquit. 
The driver of the 15 passenger van hydroplaned and crashed into the guardrail.  The vehicle’s fuel tank ruptured and caught fire. 

The driver escaped without injury.  There were no passengers in the van at the time of the crash.
Maine State Police would like to remind drivers to reduce speeds, make sure their vehicle’s tires are in good working condition and that hydroplaning, which reduces a driver’s ability to stop or steer, is a dangerous reality in inclement weather.

From the desk of Shannon Moss

At approximately 10:15 a,.m. on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 a tractor-trailer hauling 88,000 pounds of potatoes was heading southbound on I-95 when the driver swerved and the truck rolled over. It happened at mile marker 94 in Litchfield.

The driver, 54-year-old Gregory Malone Sr. of Monticello was not injured.

As a result of the crash, the truck was leaking diesel fuel. The Department of Environmental Protection is on scene to clean up the spill. The crash also damaged 400 feet of guardrail.

The truck and debris are currently blocking both passing lanes, north and south, which are both closed at this time. These lanes will be closed for several hours as the truck needs to be removed and the potatoes, which are loaded in 100 lbs. bags, need to be offloaded.

Traffic is currently flowing in one lane.  
 

# of School Visits conducted – 0

# of OUI Alcohol Arrests – 0

# of OUI Drug Arrests – 0

# of DV Arrests – 1

04-07-21

Trooper Owen Reed responded to Sedgwick for a disorderly conduct complaint where two people were heard screaming profanities along a roadway.  As a result of the investigation the individuals were warned for disorderly conduct.  Corporal Jeff Taylor assisted.

04-09-21

Trooper Silk responded to Hancock and observed Jason WESTLEIGH (36) of Hancock had been consuming alcohol and had alcohol in his possession in violation of his conditions of release. WESTLEIGH was charged with Violating Conditions of Release.

From the desk of Shannon Moss

One person was injured after an early morning car crash in Saco.

Maine State Police say a single-vehicle crash happened on I-95 northbound at mile market 37 on Friday morning at approximately 1:28 a.m. on April 9, 2021.

Troopers says the preliminary investigation shows that 36-year-old Bradford Quinlan from Portland was driving north on I-95 when he left the roadway and his Ford F-150 rolled over into trees. 

Bradford had to be extricated from the vehicle. He was taken to Maine Medical Center for his injuries. 

The crash remains under investigation.
 

UPDATE: Ms. Wicklund has been located safely.

Maine State Police have issued a Silver Alert for Gail Wicklund, 79, of 8 Desert Brook Road in Lyman. Ms. Wicklund is described as Caucasian, 5’ 6”, and 140 lbs., with blue eyes, and gray hair. She was last seen wearing a light blue fleece and gray pants around 10:42 a.m. on April 8, 2021. She is travelling on foot. Ms. Wicklund has not taken her medication and suffers from dementia. Anyone with any information or who has seen her should call 911 or 207-624-7076. 

The missing teen has been located. We have removed the post for privacy purposes.

# of School Visits conducted – 0

# of OUI Alcohol Arrests – 1

# of OUI Drug Arrests – 0

# of DV Arrests – 0

03-29-21

Trooper Owen Reed summonsed Kathleen Delaney (18) of Stonington, for Operating Without a License after a traffic stop in Deer Isle.

04-02-21

Trooper Owen Reed summonsed Craig Golden (36) of Lamoine, who was operating a motorcycle for Criminal Speed after a traffic stop in Deer Isle.  101 in a 45 zone.

04-03-21

Corporal Daniel Ryan investigated an auto accident on the Western County Road in Penobscot. The vehicle involved was abandoned when Corporal Ryan arrived on scene. Jacob Ripton (18) Castine was summoned for Failing to Report an Accident by the Quickest Means.

Corporal Daniel Ryan stopped a motor vehicle that made an evasive turn after seeing Corporal Ryan at an accident scene. (previous complaint) Timothy Gundersen (40) Blue Hill was summoned for Operating Under the Influence.

# of School Visits conducted – 0

# of OUI Alcohol Arrests – 1

# of OUI Drug Arrests – 0

# of DV Arrests – 1

03-25-21

Corporal Daniel Ryan received a complaint reporting that catalytic converters have been removed from several vehicles in Penobscot. Investigation continues.

03-28-21

Trooper Keith York responded to a crash in Meddybemps where the operator left the scene.  Investigation continues pending contact with the operator.

At approximately 3:54 pm on Friday, March 26th, the York Police Department received multiple 911 calls for what was reported as a male assaulting a female behind a large rock on the beach.  Upon their arrival, the York Police patrolmen identified the male party in the assault.  York Police detained the male suspect and brought him to the Police Department.  The female party was located deceased behind a rock.  The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit – South was called to assist York Police with the investigation.  

The female victim was identified as 35-year-old Rhonda Pattelena of Bedford, Massachusetts.  The male suspect was identified as 33-year-old Jeffrey Buchannan also of Bedford, Massachusetts. The two were domestic partners and had one mutual child.  

At 9:00 pm Maine State Police Detectives charged Jeffrey Buchannan with murder and he was taken to the York County Jail.  Authorities are confident that there is no on-going risk to public safety.  

The York Police Department and Eliot Police Department assisted in the investigation.  An investigative team of Maine State Police detectives and crime scene technicians from the Maine State Police Evidence Response Team remain at the scene at this hour and are expected to continue the investigation throughout the weekend.  
 

Michael Zabarsky from the Computer Crimes Unit was recently promoted to Lieutenant of the State Police Laboratory.  Sgt. Zabarsky is a 20-year veteran who began his career in Troop B before being promoted to Detective for Major Crimes Unit - South in 2004.  He was promoted to Sergeant in 2012 in the Special Investigations Unit and later served as a Sergeant in Troop B and most recently in Computer Crimes.

Sgt. Zabarsky has worked as a Senior Evidence Response Team, was twice nominated for Trooper of the Year and was decorated for Meritorious Service in 2016.  Prior to joining the State Police, he worked as an attorney and he maintains active status as a licensed attorney in both Maine and Massachusetts.