News Release

On December 16, 2024, at approximately 7:20 AM, Troopers from Troop I responded to I-395 Westbound on the bridge in Brewer. A Toyota Tacoma had lost control due to icy conditions, crashing in lane 3 and was facing the wrong way blocking traffic. The icy conditions proceeded to cause 3 more crashes in this area in the next few minutes. In total, 10 vehicles were involved. One female operator was transported to Saint Joseph’s hospital with complaints of pain due to airbag deployment. I-395 Westbound was closed for approximately 30 minutes. Maine DOT, Brewer Police Department, Brewer Fire Department and Northern Field Troop assisted on scene. While Troopers were on scene westbound, several vehicles began using a crossover east of the scene to go from I-395 westbound to I-395 eastbound. Due to the vehicles illegally using the crossover, eastbound traffic was forced to slow abruptly. This caused a 2-vehicle crash eastbound. There were no injuries due to the crash, but it did cause I-395 eastbound to be reduced to one lane for approximately 35 minutes. Brewer Fire and Maine DOT assisted Troopers with the eastbound crash. The crossover violators continued on and were not there when Troopers arrived.

*The Maine State Police would like to remind drivers that using crossovers is not permitted for any reason whatsoever. It is illegal and highly dangerous to everyone driving on the interstate. We ask that people drive responsibly for the safety of all motorists. 

On the night of December 14, 2024, a harrowing incident occurred on the Maine Turnpike in Falmouth. State Police received a report of a wrong-way driver at mile marker 53. A vehicle was dangerously traveling northbound in the southbound lane,  resulting in a head-on collision with a car operating southbound. The injuries sustained were minor, but the driver of the southbound vehicle, who was pregnant, was evaluated at the scene.  As a precautionary measure, Cumberland Fire and Rescue transported her and her passenger to Maine Medical Center in Portland. 

The driver of the wrong-way vehicle, a black 2017 Toyota Rav-4, was identified as Stephan Adams, a 30-year-old resident of Windham. Adams, who was also injured in the crash,  was found to be impaired during the investigation. As a result, he was charged with Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol and Driving to Endanger. Adams was transported to Maine Medical Center for further treatment.

At approximately 2:34 PM, State Police were called to a two-vehicle crash on the Horseback Road in Levant. Troopers say a 2016 Jeep Renegade, operated by Kallie Urquhart, 23, was traveling southbound and collided with a 2008 Toyota RAV4 operated by Edward Spencer, 54, traveling northbound. Spencer was seriously injured in the crash and is currently in critical condition at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.  A two-year-old passenger in Spencer’s vehicle was flown via Life Flight and a third passenger was also taken by ambulance to Eastern Maine Medical Center. Urquhart was also injured in the crash and is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital. 

The State Police Reconstruction team has been called in and will continue to diligently investigate, providing updates as the case progresses.

On Thursday, December 12, 2024, at approximately 1:14 AM, Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash southbound on the Maine Turnpike on the high rise of the Piscataqua River Bridge.

The initial investigation indicates that traffic had stopped on the Maine/New Hampshire border due to a crash that had occurred in New Hampshire. A box truck was stopped in traffic on the Maine side of the bridge when a Toyota Camry driven by 41-year-old Jacob Wolterbeek of Portsmouth, New Hampshire crashed into the rear of the box truck. Wolterbeek was pronounced deceased on scene. Southbound lanes were shut down for several hours. The lanes have since re-opened. The crash remains under investigation.

On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at approximately 3:30 AM, Troopers responded to a crash at mile 68 northbound on the Turnpike in New Glouster. It was reported that a Tractor Trailer combination had left the roadway and partially rolled over. The initial investigation indicates that the driver of truck had lost control and struck the median guardrail before being redirected back off the road. The cab of the truck remained upright; however, the trailer rolled onto its side. The driver was uninjured. The truck was fully loaded with oranges and the Department of Agriculture was contacted. The truck sustained major damage during the collision sequence. Due to the freezing rain and the task of unloading and removing the truck it was determined that the truck will be removed tomorrow at 9:00 am after the storm. The Maine Turnpike Authority plans on having a full lane closure to safely remove the truck and contents. The truck and trailer are off the road and have marker barrels indicating that it is there. The truck is owned by DW Carrier INC of Fresno, California. Troop G was assisted by the Maine Turnpike Authority and the Maine State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, shortly after 6:00 AM, the Maine State Police Central Field Troop received a report from a woman regarding threats and violence in the town of Palermo. The victim reported her ex-partner 45-year-old Jason Grant of Oakland, had made threats to cause her and others in her residence harm. State Police Troopers, Kennebec County Sheriff’s Deputies, and Oakland Police Officers responded to Ayer Street in Oakland where efforts were made to have Grant peacefully come out of his home. After several hours, Maine State Police Negotiators along with Tactical Team members were able to safely take the Grant into custody. Grant was charged with Domestic Violence Criminal Threatening, Domestic Violence Terrorizing, Violating Conditions of Release, and Creating a Police Standoff. Grant was transported to the Waldo County Jail where he will be held without bail. The Maine State Police was assisted by the Oakland Police Department, Oakland Fire and Rescue and the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department.  

The deceased male located on December 3, 2024, near the Schmid Land Preserve on Old County Road in Edgecomb has been identified as 34-year-old William Nathaniel Robinson of Austinville, Virginia. The Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta has determined the cause of death was a gunshot wound, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide. Robinson had been recently staying at a home in Edgecomb. There is no known danger to the public at this time. The investigation continues and additional information will be released with it becomes available.

On Sunday, November 24, 2024, at approximately 11:03 AM, the Augusta Regional Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a shooting at a residence at 15 Point Road in Belgrade. Troopers responded along with Belgrade Rescue and Delta Ambulance. 58-year-old Christina Bell who lives at the residence was transported via LifeFlight to Maine Medical Center in Portland with serious injuries. She was later transported to a Boston hospital. She is expected to survive. An adult male identified as her son, 26-year-old Samuel Bell left the residence in his vehicle and was taken into custody by Troopers without incident a short distance away on Guptill Road. He did not live at the residence with his parents. Samuel Bell was arrested and transported to the Kennebeck County Correctional Facility where he has been charged with Attempted Murder and Elevated Aggravated Assault.

On Sunday, November 24, 2024, at approximately 11:03 AM, the Augusta Regional Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a shooting at a residence on Point Road in Belgrade. Troopers responded along with Belgrade Rescue and Delta Ambulance. An adult female was transported via LifeFlight to Maine Medical Center in Portland with serious injuries. An adult male was taken into custody. He is cooperating with the investigation. This was an isolated incident. There is no danger to the public. This is the only information being released at this time. Additional information will be provided as the investigation progresses.

On Friday, November 22, 2024, at approximately 6:00 PM, the Bangor Regional Communications Center received multiple calls reporting a wrong way driver traveling south on the northbound side of I-95, specifically in the area of mile marker 205. Sergeant Christopher Hashey took up a position at mile marker 197. The vehicle evaded Sergeant Hashey and continued south. Sergeant Hashey then continued south in an attempt to stop the vehicle again. Sergeant Hashey observed the vehicle taking the 197 on ramp the wrong way. Sergeant Hashey was able to meet the vehicle and utilized his vehicle to immobilize the wrong way driver. The driver of the vehicle, 60-year-old Eric Nicolar of Indian Island was arrested and taken into custody. He was transported to the Penobscot County Jail and charged with Operating Under the Influence, Driving to Endanger and Failure to Stop. Both vehicles were towed from the scene due to damage. No one was injured. The investigation is ongoing.