Interstate 95

On March 3, 2021, Troopers from Troop C responded to a report of a crash involving two tractor trailers in the area of mile 154 southbound. Preliminary investigation shows that a tractor trailer driven by Metho Nelson, 34, of New York, NY struck another tractor trailer truck driven by Stewart Hallett, 63, of Mars Hill, Maine. Minor injuries were sustained by both drivers however both tractor trailers require removal by heavy wreckers and the interstate is down to one line in this area. Maine DOT has posted signs advising drivers of this. Please use caution passing the area as work crews will remain on scene overnight until both vehicles can be removed safely. 

Anyone that may have witnessed the crash is asked to contact Trooper Garret Booth of Maine State Police Troop C by calling 207-624-7076 x9.
 

Maine State Police responded to a crash on 1-95 in Bangor on Halloween morning.

On Oct. 31, 2020, at approximately 9:53 a.m., Maine State Troopers from Troop E responded to I-95 mile marker 187 southbound in Bangor for the report of a car that had crashed and rolled over into the median. Lexii Ash, 29, was operating a gray 2003 Honda Accord with New Hampshire registration. Ash had been traveling southbound on I-95 with her three children, all under the age of 4, when her vehicle left the roadway to the left for an unknown reason and rolled multiple times before coming to a stop in the median.

Ash and the children were transported to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center where Ash remains in serious condition. The children were transported as well with minor injuries. The interstate was restricted while rescue crews attended to the injured and the accident was reconstructed. Tr. David Olmstead is the primary investigating trooper.

Maine State Police are investigating a crash caused by a wrong way driver on I-95.

On Sept. 20, 2020 at approximately 2:09 p.m., Augusta Regional Communication Center received a complaint of a wrong way driver traveling north bound in the south bound lane around mile marker 58 on the Maine Turnpike in Cumberland. 

Two minutes later, several callers stated that the pickup struck several vehicles just north of the Cumberland service plaza. 
Upon arrival, Troopers discovered there were five vehicles involved in the crash. A witness reported the red Chevy Silverado pickup left the Cumberland service plaza and drove north in the south bound lane striking the vehicles within a half mile of the plaza. The operator of the Chevy pickup was a 73-year-old male who is not believed to be impaired. Both the operator of the pickup and Saab received minor injuries. Amazingly, no one else was injured. No charges are expected at this time.
 

On 03/23/2020, Tr. Duda responded to a single vehicle crash near mile marker 36 sb. The vehicle, driven by Sonia Castro Echaiz (39) of Sanford was traveling southbound at high speed and in inclement weather when she lost control of her vehicle, and slammed into trees. She was taken to Maine Medical Center for injuries sustained from the crash. 

On 03/23/2020, Tr. Duda responded to a single vehicle slide off at mile 32 northbound. The vehicle slid off into the ditch near mile 32 north bound during inclement weather. The vehicle did not sustain any damage and was towed back onto the roadway. The operator, Paulo Gomes Pinto (54) of Framingham, Massachusetts failed to turn his lights back on, and then drive across three lanes of traffic and was hit broad side by a Hannaford tractor trailer. Pinto was transported to Southern Maine Healthcare with non-life threatening injuries. 

On 03/26/2020, Tr. Duda responded to a roll over crash on the exit 42 departure ramp. Trooper Duda arrived on scene and observed that an R.C. Moore tractor trailer failed to negotiate the curve and rolled over into the ditch. The cab of the truck was sliced through by the guard rail. The operator, Robert Skidgel (75) of Saco was able to walk away from the crash. The truck was hauling a load of French fries. Speed appears to have been a factor in the crash. Multiple units assisted at the scene. 

On 03/26/2020 Lt. Baker stopped Adam Dugal (38) of Bowdoin for traveling 102 MPH in a 65 MPH zone.  Lt. Baker was traveling south on I295 in Freeport at the time.  Dugal was summons accordingly.  
 

Tpr. Welch stopped Hannah Dascanio (20) of Portland for criminal speed, 115mph in a 70mph zone, on the turnpike in Scarborough at Mile 42 northbound.

Tpr. Libritz stopped Jason Goan (34) of Parsonsfield for a vehicle defect. Goan’s license status was suspended for OUI and an unpaid fine. Tpr. Libritz summonsed Goan for OAS and a licensed passenger drove from the scene. 

Tpr. Darcy stopped a vehicle northbound on the turnpike in York. The roadside investigation led to the discovery of 217 grams of crack cocaine. As a result, Tanjia Moore (25) of Brooklyn, NY and a juvenile from Bronx, NY were both charged with Aggravated Trafficking Schedule W Drugs. Sgt. Porter and Cpl. Schmidt (Troop A) assisted.
 

On 03/09/2020 Tr. Steven Stubbs arrested Abdirahman Dahir Hassan (34) from Massachusetts for OUI.  Multiple reports had come into the Augusta RCC of poor operation.  Tr. Stubbs was able to locate the vehicle.  Hassan blew above the legal limit.  
 

On 03/04/20 at approximately 2350 hours, Trooper LiBritz stopped a vehicle near mile 37 southbound for a plate light out. Upon further investigation it was determined the operator, EHREN DWORAK (49-Year-old male from Arundel), was on conditions of release and he had an active warrant for failure to appear. DWORAK was arrested on the warrant and transported to the York County Jail.

On 03-08-20, at approximately 0820 HRS, Tr. Hager stopped SEAN SPARFVEN, 38 years old of Providence, RI for speeding 87/70 mph zone in York.  Mr. Sparfven immediately admitted to never having a driver’s license.  Mr. Sparfven was issued a criminal summons for Operating without a License and a violation summons for speeding.  

3-4- Tpr. Darcy charged Jenna Kelly (33) of Biddeford with Operating after Suspension as the result of a traffic stop northbound on the turnpike in Wells.

3-5- Tpr. Darcy stopped a vehicle northbound on the turnpike in York. Criminal indicators were observed during the roadside investigation and Tpr. Wilkinson and K9 Pinny were called to the scene. K9 Pinny alerted to the odors of narcotics in the vehicle and a search was conducted. As a result, 101 grams of fentanyl was seized. Joseph Tardiff (26) of Blaine and Brian Keenan (41) of Caribou were both charged.

Tr. Physic summonsed Joseph Berard for Criminal Speed for traveling 84 m.p.h. in a 50 m.p.h construction zone. 

On March 8, 2020 Tr. Physic spotted a vehicle going northbound in the southbound lane near mm37.  Tr. Physic made several attempts along the way to intercept it.  Tr. Physic was finally able to get the driver’s attention enough where the vehicle stopped.  Tr. Physic arrested the driver, Joseph Neveux (23) for OUI.  Joseph took an intoxilyzer test at the Cumberland County Jail and blew over the legal limit. Cpl. Cote assisted.
 

02/25/20 at approximately 2032 hours Trooper Recruit Knight and Trooper LiBritz stopped a vehicle near mile 7 northbound in York for a headlight defect. Upon further investigation it was determined the driver, Adam Sheldon (45year old from OK), had an active extraditable warrant out of OK. Sheldon was arrested and when searched, Trooper Williams located drugs on his person. Sheldon was summonsed for unlawful possession of schedule W (cocaine) and unlawful possession of schedule W (suboxone). 

03/01/20, - Tr. Physic summonsed Phillip Dow for Criminal Speed, 87/55, on I-295.

03/01/20 – Tr. Davis arrested Kelly McAlinden (49) of Buxton on several warrants at Mile 109 in Augusta. McAlinden had a warrant for two felony counts of theft from Buxton PD, and a warrant for failing to appear in court for drinking in public.  

02/24/20 - Tr. Darcy charged Chelsea Coombs (23) of Oakland with Operating with a Suspended Registration as the result of a traffic stop northbound on the turnpike in Wells. The registration was suspended for tolls.

02/24/20 – Tr. Baker charged Jeffrey Johnson 6-16-67 with OUI as a result of a contact in Gray, on I-95.

Cpl. Ricci Cote stopped Emily Shaner (26) of Portland on the ME Turnpike southbound at mile 70 in New Gloucester.  She was summonsed for Failure to Register Vehicle Expired > 150 Days and her vehicle was towed. 

Cpl. Ricci Cote stopped Christina Michaud-Wilson (37) of Saco on the ME Turnpike southbound at mile 44 in Scarborough.  She was summonsed for Failure to Register Vehicle Expired > 150 Days.

Cpl. Ricci Cote stopped Kenneth Munsey (40) of Topsham on the ME Turnpike northbound at mile 34 in Saco.  His registration was found to be Suspended for Tolls.  The vehicle was towed, and he will be following up with MTA in reference to the unpaid tolls. 

Tr. Lee Vanadestine stopped James Neptune (26) of MA on the ME Turnpike at mile 102 in West Gardiner.  He was summonsed for Operating Under the Influence and Operating after Suspension.  His BrAC was over the legal limit.

Tr. Lee Vanadestine stopped Cody Duarte of Sabattus on the ME Turnpike at mile 84 in Lewiston for traveling 110 mph with 5 teenagers inside the vehicle.  He was summonsed for Criminal Speed.

Tr. Lee Vanadestine stopped Lisa Demmons of St. Pete, FL, on the ME Turnpike at mile 101 in Litchfield for traveling 101 mph.  She was issued multiple traffic tickets.

On 2/24/20 Trooper Williams arrested Stephen Cavanaugh (50) of Merrimack, NH for OUI following a traffic stop in Ogunquit.  Stephen produced a BAC over the legal limit and was charged accordingly. 

On 2/29/20 Tr. Williams arrested Shakye Gaskins (26) of Lawrence, MA for an arrest warrant out of Presque Isle.  The warrant was for Unpaid Fines. 

On 2/29/20 Tr. Williams summonsed Corianne Chambers (29) of Portland for Unlawful Possession of Sch W Drugs Class C (Crystal Meth) following a traffic stop in York.  The driver of Corianne’s vehicle, Michael Rice (41) of South Portland, was summonsed for OAS.  The vehicle was also towed due to a suspended registration.

Tr. George Loder located a reported drunk driver, Wayne Stedt (51) of Turner, on the ME Turnpike at mile 44 southbound in Scarborough that had crashed in Portland and then eluded Portland Police in a pursuit on I-295.  Stedt attempted to elude Tr. Loder and a pursuit ensued down the turnpike where he exited at 36 in Saco.  The pursuit was terminated in the Saco Industrial Park area after Tr. Loder successfully employed a PIT maneuver causing the vehicle to leave the roadway where it became stuck in a ditch.  Stedt was taken into custody.  It was later learned that Stedt had also engaged and eluded Windham Police earlier in the evening.  He was charged with multiple crimes including Operating Under the Influence, Eluding, and Criminal Speed.  Charges are forthcoming from both Portland and Windham Police.  Tr. Loder was assisted by Saco Police. 

Tr. George Loder stopped Felipe Barbosa-Silva (25) of Biddeford on the ME Turnpike a mile 32 northbound in Biddeford.  He was summonsed for Attaching False Plates and his vehicle was towed.

On 02/26/2020 Lt. Baker stopped Francis Doyle (70) of Freeport for 105 MPH in a 60 MPH zone.  He was summons accordingly.  

There has been a serious accident at Mile Marker 191 Southbound on Interstate I95 (Orono). The interstate in that direction has been shut down to allow for LifeFlight to land. Maine DOT has signs alerting drivers to divert at Exit 193. Please seek an alternate route and avoid the area. 

On 01-27-2020, Sgt. Porter assisted Troop A units on a traffic stop on Route 109 in Wells, just past the I-95 tolls. Cpl. Schmidt and Tr. Handzel had two subjects detained and were searching vehicle. Ultimately, both subjects were arrested for drug charges after narcotics were found. 

On February 02, 2020, Tpr. Physic arrested Matthew Stiteher for OUI.  Matthew took an intoxilyzer test and blew over the legal limit.

Tpr. Physic had concluded his DARE class at Leeds Central School with a celebration this past week.  The topics Tpr. Physic talked about this past winter was team building, bullying, tobacco, vaping and other various topics.  Tpr. Physic also awarded Rylee Stevens a citizenship award.  Tpr. Physic awarded Rylee with a commemorative license plate with an encouraging license plate.  Below are pictures of the celebration.

Tpr. LiBritz stopped a vehicle south of the York toll for a brake light out. The passenger immediately stated she wasn’t driving because she had the flu. Upon further investigation it was discovered the driver, Nelson Martinez (37), did not have a license and he was on probation. Martinez was arrested and summonsed for operating after habitual offender revocation and violation of conditional release. His probation officer put a hold on him as well. 

Sgt. Doughty stopped Abigail DeGregoris (28) of Kennebunk for criminal speed, 84 mph in the posted 50 mph construction zone, by Exit 45 in South Portland. 

Chris Cureton pleaded of Wales plead guilty to fentanyl trafficking and a probation violation stemming from a traffic stop Sgt. Pappas and Trooper Darcy conducted. He received a 30-month state sentence.
Arthur Miles changed his plea to guilty in Federal court for distribution of fentanyl stemming from a traffic stop Sgt. Pappas conducted in 2017.  He will be sentenced in late spring. 

Tpr. Darcy and Sgt. Porter assisted Cpl. Schmidt (Troop A) with a traffic stop where a large amount of fentanyl was seized. After the stop was clear, Tpr. Darcy responded to Troop A and assisted in interviews with the subjects involved as well as evidence processing.

Tpr. Darcy seized a small amount of crystal methamphetamine as the result of a traffic stop northbound on the turnpike in Wells. 

On 2-1-20 Tr. Kelley stopped and summonsed a 19-year-old female from Colorado who was driving 105 MPH in Litchfield.  
 
 

1-15- Tpr. Darcy stopped a vehicle northbound on the turnpike in York. The registration was suspended for tolls. The registered owner was able to call into the turnpike authority and sort out the issue regarding his overdue fines to the turnpike.

Sgt. Pappas summonsed a Livermore Falls resident for trafficking oxycodone after finding him in possession of 36 pills.

Sgt. Pappas summonsed two Bingham residents for trafficking cocaine after finding them in possession of 2 ounces of coke and 1 gram of fentanyl.  SW was conducted at their residence in Bingham.  Over ten guns were seized in addition to 10 grams of fentanyl.

Cpl. Ricci Cote, while working a minimum shift in Troop B, stopped Brandy Hilliard (41) of Turner, on N. River Road in Greene.  She was arrested and charged with OUI.  Her BrAC was over the legal limit.

Cpl. Ricci Cote summonsed Daniel Moulton (29) of Falmouth for Criminal Speed (102 mph in a posted 70 mph zone) on I-95 SB in Scarborough.

Cpl. Ricci Cote stopped Elizabeth Bell (29) of Biddeford on I-95 in Saco for having a Suspended Registration.  She was not charged, but her vehicle was towed.  She will be following up with the MTA.  

Cpl. Ricci Cote stopped Scott Briggs (34) of Windham on I-95 SB in Auburn.  He was summonsed for Operating W/ an Expired Driver’s License > 90 Days.

Cpl. Ricci Cote stopped Robert Gray (54) of Sanford on I-95 SB in Gray.  He was arrested for Operating after Habitual Offender Revocation.  He had an active warrant and was out on bail.  He was taken to the Cumberland County Jail. 

On 1/18/20 Trooper Williams arrested Brent Homer (42) of Dorchester, MA for Criminal Arrest Warrant; Failure to Appear following an erratic driving complaint in York.