News Release

On Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at approximately 5:32 PM, the Bangor Regional Communications Center received 14 911 calls reporting a box truck driving erratically on I-95 southbound in Old Town. The truck was reported to have driven through the closed gate at the weigh station before continuing southbound.

Troopers from the area began attempting to locate the vehicle. Bangor Police and Orono Police were also notified to assist in locating the vehicle. At one point, the truck exited I-95 at Exit 187/Hogan Road in Bangor before getting back onto the interstate and traveling northbound. The truck then crossed the median and began traveling the wrong way in the southbound lanes. The vehicle corrected itself and eventually ended up in the Lowe’s parking lot in Bangor, where it was reported to be driving in circles.

The vehicle was finally located in the BJ’s parking lot, where the driver was taken into custody without incident. 36-year-old Julio Matos of Orange City, Florida, was taken into custody and ultimately transported to the Penobscot County Jail, where he faces charges of Criminal OUI, Driving to Endanger, and Failure to Notify of Motor Vehicle Accident. Further charges may be filed.

No injuries were reported. The Maine State Police would like to thank the Bangor Police Department for its assistance at the scene where the truck was located.

On Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at approximately 8:53 AM, members of the Rumford Police Department responded to a residence on Franklin Street for a well-being check. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male and an adult female deceased inside the residence. Rumford Police requested assistance from the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South. Detectives and members of the Maine State Police Evidence Response Team responded to the scene and began an investigation.

The deceased individuals will be transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, where autopsies will be conducted to confirm their identities and determine the cause and manner of death.

The investigation remains active and ongoing. There is no danger to the public, and additional information will be released when appropriate.

On Sunday, August 16, 2026,at approximately 7:19 PM, the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Maine State Police with an investigation related to an apparent assault on Pine Street in Guilford. The Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office responded to 24 Pine Street for a wellbeing check and moments later located two seriously injured adults inside a neighboring residence at 26 Pine Street. An adult male, identified as 63-year-old Brent Doore and adult female were transported to the hospital. Brent Doore died from his injuries while being transported to the hospital. The female remains hospitalized in critical condition. Due to the facts and circumstances of the case, the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit – North was assigned to provide assistance to the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office. Throughout the evening and overnight hours, the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office, Office of Chief Medical Examiner, Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit – North and other law enforcement partners worked to further the investigation. Due to the nature of the crimes, the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit – North will take the lead on the investigation moving forward, with the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office remaining involved as a key investigative partner. Brent Doore was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, where an autopsy was conducted on Monday, August 17, 2026, where the cause of death was determined to be multiple sharp force injuries, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide. 

As a result of the investigation, 49-year-old Ryan Carleton of Guilford was taken into custody by the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office on the charge of Aggravated Assault. Carleton’s charges were elevated to Murder during his initial court appearance on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at the Piscataquis County Judicial Center. Carleton is currently being held at the Piscataquis County Jail.

Anyone with relevant information related to this case is asked to contact the Maine State Police at 207-973-3700, ext. 9, and ask to speak with Det. Jacob Ferland.

Information related to this case may also be submitted to the Major Crimes Unit – North via an on-line tip portal. https://www.maine.gov/dps/msp/about/report-crime/major-crimes-unit-north

On Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at approximately 3:52 PM, the Bangor Regional Communications Center received multiple calls regarding a tractor-trailer traveling northbound near Exit 180 in Hermon that had gone off the roadway, crossed the median, and entered the southbound lanes of I-95, where it struck multiple vehicles.

Upon arrival, Troopers determined that two northbound vehicles had left the roadway, crossed the median, and entered the southbound lanes. The initial investigation determined that a pickup truck hauling a trailer failed to yield the right of way while merging onto I-95 from Coldbrook Road. The trailer struck a utility truck traveling in the travel lane.

The crash forced the utility truck into a tractor-trailer traveling in the passing lane. The utility truck and tractor-trailer became entangled and subsequently left the roadway, crossed the median, and entered the southbound lanes. After entering the southbound side of the interstate, the utility truck separated from the tractor-trailer. The operator then drove the utility truck back into the median to avoid a crash with oncoming southbound traffic. As the tractor-trailer and utility truck crossed the median and separated, the trailer of the tractor-trailer struck two vehicles traveling southbound.

There were no reported injuries as a result of the crash. Traffic in the area was slowed while crews worked to remove the involved vehicles. The vehicles have since been removed and the scene. The crash remains under investigation.

On August 15, 2026, at approximately 3:35 PM, the Bangor Regional Communications Center began receiving calls about a vehicle traveling over 100 mph and driving erratically northbound on I-295 in the Bowdoinham area.

Ultimately, 14 people called 911 to report this dangerous driving. Troopers worked to narrow down the vehicle's location as each call provided an updated mile marker. Troopers located the vehicle northbound on I-95 in Waterville and conducted a traffic stop after observing the previously reported driving.

As a result of the roadside investigation, Alexandre Forsythe, 22, of Jaffrey, New Hampshire, was charged with Criminal OUI and Criminal Speed.

On Sunday, August 16, 2026,at approximately 7:19 PM, the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Maine State Police with an investigation related to an apparent assault on Pine Street in Guilford. The Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office responded to 24 Pine Street for a wellbeing check and moments later located two seriously injured adults inside a neighboring residence at 26 Pine Street. An adult male and adult female were transported to the hospital. The male died from his injuries while being transported to the hospital. The female remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Due to the facts and circumstances of the case, the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit – North was assigned to provide assistance to the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office. Throughout the evening and overnight hours, the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office, Office of Chief Medical Examiner, Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit – North and other law enforcement partners worked to further the investigation. Due to the complexity of the investigation, the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit – North will take the lead on the investigation moving forward, with the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office remaining involved as a key investigative partner. Members of the Maine State Police Evidence Response Team will process available evidence at the scene. The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, where an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause and manner of death.

As a result of the initial investigation, 49-year-old Ryan Carleton of Guilford was taken into custody by the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office on the charge of Aggravated Assault. Carleton is currently being held at the Piscataquis County Jail. His charges will be elevated pending an arraignment on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 11:45 am, at the Piscataquis County Judicial Center.

Law enforcement believes this is an isolated incident and there are no ongoing public safety concerns.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Anyone with relevant information related to this case is asked to contact the Maine State Police at 207-973-3700, ext. 9, and ask to speak with Det. Jacob Ferland.

Information related to this case may also be submitted to the Major Crimes Unit – North via an on-line tip portal. https://www.maine.gov/dps/msp/about/report-crime/major-crimes-unit-north

On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at approximately 4:56 PM, Capitol Police responded to a report of a suspicious package that had been opened inside Maine Revenue Services at 51 Commerce Drive in Augusta. Capitol Police requested assistance from the Maine State Police Bomb Squad. The individual who handled the package moved it outside and contacted authorities.

Out of an abundance of caution, the building was evacuated while the package was evaluated. The Maine State Police Bomb Squad responded to the scene. Through X-ray imaging and presumptive field testing, investigators determined there were no explosive or biological hazards inside the package.

No injuries were reported. The Maine State Police Bomb Squad was assisted by the Augusta Fire Department and the 11th Army National Guard Civil Support Team.

The incident remains under investigation. No additional information is being released at this time.

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.