Tractor Trailer Crash

On Nov. 16, 2021, at approximately 5:48 a.m. the State Police were called to mile marker 276 in Island Falls for a tractor trailer that had jackknifed, blocking both lanes of travel.  

Tp. Tim Saucier learned that Rayon Pyne, 27, of Brooklyn, NY, was traveling north when lost control of the vehicle due to icy road conditions and the unit jack-knifed in the roadway striking a guardrail and coming to rest blocking both travel lanes.  Pyne was wearing his seatbelt and was not injured.  

The tractor trailer was towed from the scene due to disabling damage.  The interstate was closed for approximately 90 min before the unit could be removed.   
 

From the desk of Shannon Moss DPS PIO

On Monday, May 3, 2021, just before 7am on Interstate 95 Southbound in Wells, a Dysart’s tanker operated by James Naaykens, 51, of Medway, Maine, lost control and drove off the right side of the roadway, striking several small trees.   

The tanker was empty but the tank that supply’s fuel to the truck spilled approximately 55 gallons of diesel fuel. The Department of Environmental Management is on scene.

One lane is closed and isn’t expected to reopen for a couple of hours.
 

On September 30, 2020 at approximately 1:27 a.m., David Hand (28), of New Jersey, fell asleep and drove off the roadway to the right striking the guardrail in the area of mile marker 77 northbound on the Turnpike in Auburn. Hand was operating a tractor trailer unit that was hauling produce. The tractor trailer unit rolled over and down the embankment. The operator was able to get out of the truck on his own accord. Hand was transported to Central Maine Medical Center for further evaluation. Lewiston Fire Department and United Ambulance Service responded. The extent of his injuries were non-life threatening. The right lane of the Turnpike was shut down for an extended amount of time.

Slippery conditions contributed to a tractor trailer rollover in Smyrna.

On March 23, 2020, at approximately 10:39 p.m., State Police were called to a tractor trailer off the road on Interstate 95 in Smyrna. Tpr. Tim Saucier responded to investigate the crash. He determined that the driver, Biniam Tewelde, 41, of Dallas, Texas, was travelling southbound hauling a load of potatoes when he lost control on the slippery roadway and went off into the median, rolling the tractor and trailer onto its side.
Tewelde was not injured, but the unit suffered disabling damage.

On March 24, 2020, The potatoes were unloaded by hand and the unit was removed from the roadway.