Interstate 95

Poor driving conditions contributed to several crashes that closed Interstate 95 near Dixmont, Etna, and Plymouth.  Interstate 95 Southbound remains closed and traffic is being diverted off the interstate at Exit 167.  The interstate is expected to remain closed for the next 4-6 hours.

This morning at approximately 9 a.m., the Maine State Police responded to numerous reports of vehicles off the road on Interstate 95 in the areas of mile markers 172-162 southbound.  Icy road conditions that developed quickly during the morning commute contributed to multiple motor vehicle crashes involving both passenger cars and tractor-trailers.  Several people have been injured from these crashes, but nothing at this point that appears to be life threatening. Maine State Police continue to investigate. No further details are available at this time.  Troopers are working with DOT to clear the roadway.  Traffic is being diverted off the interstate at Exit 167 southbound while crews work to clear the roadway.  We are advising motorists not to travel in that area until it is opened and to watch their speed and following distance from other vehicles while driving.  

Troop E has been assisted by its commercial vehicle enforcement unit, traffic safety unit, Maine Forest Rangers, Maine Warden Service, and Maine DOT.  
 

From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO

On Thursday, October 21, 2021, at approximately 7:15 a.m. a 2008 Peterbilt dump truck owned by MCC LLC of Buxton, caught fire as it was traveling on I-95 southbound in the area of mile marker 42 in Scarborough. The driver 50-year-old Michelle Beaulieu of Springvale noticed smoke in the cabin and shortly afterward flames coming through the floorboard. She was able to pull over just beyond the on-ramp before the whole cab caught fire. A passenger, 34-year-old Michael Mayer of Biddeford was also in the truck. Both Beaulieu and Mayer were not injured. 

The fire department was able to extinguish the fire but nothing is left of the cab. 

One lane of the Turnpike was shut down for about 30 minutes. Traffic was affected both north and southbound. 
 

From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO

On June 11, 2021 at approximately 3:37am Maine State Police Troopers responded to a single vehicle crash on I-95 near Broadway Street in Bangor.  The investigation determined that the driver, 39 year old Anthony Monroe, Sr. of Old Town was traveling south when he struck a guardrail near the Exit 185 off ramp. The vehicle then traveled across the road and struck the concrete barrier in the median. Monroe, who was not wearing his seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The Maine State Police was assisted by the Bangor Police Department and the Bangor Fire Department.

This is the only information available at this time.  

If anybody has information in relation to this incident please contact Trooper Bryan Creamer at 207-973-3700.
 

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.
 

An Island Falls woman escaped serious injury after a crash involving a tractor trailer in Oakfield. 

At approximately 7 a.m., on March 19, 2021, Tpr. Hunter Cotton and Sgt. Chadwick Fuller responded to a crash in the northbound lanes of I-95 in Oakfield.  The investigation revealed that 32-year-old Audrey Violette, of Island Falls, was traveling north on the interstate when she became distracted by something in her vehicle.  As she became distracted, Ms. Violette drifted into the adjacent lane and drove under the rear tractor wheels of a northbound tractor trailer being driven by 50-year-old Kenneth McNally, of Sherman.  Her vehicle went under the rear wheels of the trailer, flipped over, and then skidded down the interstate coming to rest on a guardrail.  Ms. Violette was eventually helped out of her vehicle by a Good Samaritan.  

She was transported to Houlton Regional Hospital by ambulance with what appeared to be minor injuries.  The crash remains under investigation; however, the primary cause is distraction.
 

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.