Maine State Police

On Friday January 9, 2026, at approximately 7:12 AM Troop G Troopers were investigating a single vehicle crash in the median northbound on the Maine Turnpike in Wells at mile marker 19. Three Troopers had parked their marked cruisers with emergency lights activated to divert traffic away from the crash in the median.

Trooper Christopher Caldeira was sitting in his marked blue 2020 Ford Explorer MSP Cruiser with its emergency lights activated when he was hit from behind by a 2023 Mercedes-Benz sedan operated by 31-year-old Priscilla Eydra Kifayatullah of Germantown, WI. The crash caused significant damage to both vehicles. Both Kifayatullah and Trooper Caldeira were transported to York Hospital for evaluation of possible minor injuries.

The highway remained open however traffic was significantly backed up because only one lane was open for travel for approximately one hour. The scene is now clear and traffic is flowing normally. Assisting the Maine State Police on scene were the Maine Turnpike Authority, York Fire Department, Ogunquit Fire Department, Wells Fire Department, and National Wrecker Service. This incident is still under investigation.   

*This crash serves as a reminder of Maine’s “Move Over” law, which applies to any stopped vehicle displaying flashing lights or hazard lights. Drivers are required to move into the adjacent lane when it is safe to do so, or slow down and proceed with caution if a lane change is not possible.

*The initial crash was a slide off into the median. No injuries to the driver.

On Thursday, January 8, 2026, at approximately 3:49 AM, the Bangor Regional Communications Center received a report from a passerby of a tractor-trailer crash on I-95 northbound near mile marker 141 in the town of Clinton. The initial report indicated the tractor-trailer had left the roadway and struck the center median.

The driver was transported to Thayer Hospital in Waterville by Clinton Ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Due to the commercial vehicle being located in the median, an extensive recovery operation is required. The passing lane (Lane 1) will be blocked to allow crews room to safely conduct recovery efforts. The tractor-trailer was carrying grocery goods. Motorists should avoid the area or expect traffic impacts in the area.

MASARDIS

On January 5, 2026, at approximately 9:02 AM, the Maine State Police responded to a report of a tractor-trailer truck on Route 11 in Masardis that was stuck in the power lines. Troopers investigating the scene determined that the driver had just received a load of wood from the mill in Masardis and attempted to cross an intersection at the mill with an overfilled load. This caused the boom on the vehicle and the load on the trailer to get stuck in the power lines. The incident blocked the northbound lane of travel on Route 11 for multiple hours. Troopers were assisted by various departments to include the Ashland Fire Department, Masardis Fire Department, The Maine Forest Service, Ashland EMS and Versant Power.  

Nashville Plantation

On Monday, January 5, 2026, at approximately 09:36 AM, Maine State Police received a report of a vehicle off the roadway on Portage Road in Nashville Plantation.  At the time of the crash the roadway was icy, a contributing factor which caused the vehicle, a 2007 Kia Spectra to slide off the roadway and strike a guard rail. A Maine Forest Service Ranger was in the area and responded to the location to provide traffic control while Troopers were responding to the scene. As a wrecker was attempting to retrieve the Kia, the Forest Ranger was attempting to shut down the roadway to the north of the crash scene using emergency lighting in his patrol vehicle. At this time, a 2016 Western Star, configured as a log truck with a loaded trailer, rounded a blind corner near the crash scene. The tractor trailer attempted to brake but began sliding due to icy roadway conditions. The vehicle began to jackknife and struck the rear of the Maine Forest Service vehicle. The Forest Ranger was out of the vehicle at the time, but the driver of the Kia was in the Maine Forest Service vehicle at the time of the crash. He was transported from the scene to the hospital by Ashland Ambulance Service for minor injuries. The Kia and Maine Forest Service patrol vehicle were towed from the scene due to disabling damage. The Forest Ranger and driver of the tractor trailer were not injured in the crash. The Ashland Fire Department responded to the crash and provided traffic control while the crash was investigated by members of the Maine State Police. Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Maine Forest Service, Maine State Police Commercial Vehicle Unit (Troop K), Ashland Ambulance Service, and Ashland Fire Department. The investigation is ongoing.

PATTEN

On Monday, January 5, 2026, shortly after 12:00 PM, the Maine State Police responded to a report of a tractor-trailer truck off the road near the intersection of Route 11, and Winding Hill Road in Patten. The vehicle had taken out 3 utility poles and power lines were across both lanes of travel. Troopers determined the driver lost control of the vehicle due to icy road conditions The incident blocked off both lanes of travel on Route 11 for several hours.

On Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at approximately 8:57 AM, Southwest Harbor Police responded to a 911 call about an incident near 11 Big Rocks Road, Tremont. The caller reported finding two deceased adults at the scene. Members of the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit North responded and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths with coordination with Southwest Harbor Police. Members of the Maine State Police Evidence Response Team were dispatched to the scene and worked to process available evidence. 

The deceased were transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta so autopsies could be performed to determine the cause and manner of death. The investigation has led investigators to believe that the deceased are 78-year-old Jyoti Hawley of Tremont and 75-year-old William Hawley of Tremont. Jyoti and William Hawley were husband and wife.

On Friday, December 26, 2025, autopsies were performed at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where the cause of death was determined to be gunshot wounds for both people. The manner of death for Jyoti Hawley was ruled a homicide. The manner of death for William Hawley was ruled a suicide. The MSP has identified all involved parties, and the MSP believes this is an isolated incident with no ongoing public safety concerns.

Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit North at 207-973-3700, extension 9, and request to speak with Detective Dana Austin. Information related to this case may also be submitted to the Major Crimes Unit North via an online tip portal. https://www.maine.gov/dps/msp/about/report-crime/major-crimes-unit-north

The Maine State Police is investigating the death of a one-year-old child who was found unresponsive this morning, Sunday, December 28, 2025, at a residence in the town of Milford.

Pursuant to state statue, the Maine State Police investigate all deaths involving children under the age of three. There is no danger to the public. This remains an active investigation no additional information is being released at this time.

On Saturday, December 27, 2025, at approximately 8:28 AM, the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a shooting at a residence located at 344 Main Street in Corinth. Upon arrival, deputies located 41-year-old Abigail Thomas of Corinth deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.

The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit North, along with members of the Maine State Police Evidence Response Team. The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where an autopsy will be performed.

The preliminary investigation has determined that Thomas had been involved in an altercation with her son, 22-year-old Daniel Derosier, who also resided at the home.

As a result of the investigation, Derosier was taken into custody and charged with Murder. He was transported to the Penobscot County Jail. Corinth Fire/Rescue assisted at the scene. This investigation remains ongoing. No further information is being released at this time.

On Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at approximately 8:57 AM, Southwest Harbor Police responded to a 911 call about an incident near Big Rocks Road, Tremont. The caller reported finding two deceased adults at the scene. Members of the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit North responded and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths with coordination with Southwest Harbor Police. 

The deceased will be transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where autopsies will be performed to determine the cause and manner of death. Members of the Maine State Police Evidence Response Team were dispatched to the scene and will work to process available evidence. The MSP believes this is an isolated incident with no ongoing public safety concerns. More information will be released as it becomes available.

Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit North at 207-973-3700, extension 9, and request to speak with Detective Dana Austin. Information related to this case may also be submitted to the Major Crimes Unit North via an online tip portal. https://www.maine.gov/dps/msp/about/report-crime/major-crimes-unit-north

The names of the two individuals who died in the November 19, 2025, crash in New Gloucester can be identified now that next of kin has been located and notified.

The name of the driver is 48-year-old Cristovao Cibangu of Lewiston. The passenger is 34-year-old Maria Isabel of Lewiston. The crash remains under investigation.

On Sunday, December 14, 2025, at approximately 1:18 AM, Troopers were dispatched to reports of a wrong-way driver traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of the Maine Turnpike near Kennebunk. A subsequent 911 call reported that the vehicle, a white 2023 Honda Civic, had crashed into the median at mile marker 24 in Kennebunk.

Troopers responded and located the vehicle. The operator was not injured but was evaluated at the scene by Kennebunk Rescue. The operator showed signs of impairment and was placed under arrest. He was identified as 22-year-old Lester Medina of Manchester, New Hampshire, and was transported to the York County Jail. He was charged with Aggravated Reckless Conduct, Criminal OUI, and Driving to Endanger.

Kennebunk Rescue and the Maine Turnpike Authority assisted on scene. Southbound lanes one and two were temporarily closed during the investigation. The investigation remains ongoing.

On Monday, December 8, 2025, at approximately 3:14 PM, Troop G Troopers responded to a fatal crash on the Maine Turnpike at Mile 5 southbound in York. The preliminary investigation indicates a 2022 Western Star tractor-trailer was stopped with a mechanical malfunction in the breakdown lane. The operator of the tractor-trailer had placed reflective warning triangles in the breakdown lane as required.

While the tractor trailer was stopped, a 2014 Toyota sedan, operated by 81-year-old Janice Goldsmith of Needham, Massachusetts, struck the rear of the tractor-trailer. Goldsmith was pronounced deceased at the scene. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Traffic on the southbound side of the Turnpike was reduced to one lane for approximately three hours while Troopers and first responders worked the scene and then limited to two lanes for an additional two hours. Maine State Police would like to thank all assisting agencies for their support and response.