I-95

 From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO

On Saturday, November 20, 2021 at approximately 2:45 p.m. Maine State Police responded to a single vehicle crash at mile 100 on I-95 in Litchfield at the West Gardiner Toll Plaza. Upon investigation it was discovered that a vehicle traveling southbound crashed into a guardrail, redirected itself back onto the highway and then struck the center pylon at the toll plaza causing the car to burst into flames. The single occupant of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy this week to determine the identity of the driver.

The crash lane was closed for a couple of hours while the car was removed. The highspeed lanes remained open.

Assisting on scene was the Gardiner Ambulance Service, the West Gardiner,  Litchfield and Augusta Fire Departments.

On Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at 10/19/21 at approximately 8 p.m. a Maine State Police Trooper came upon a crash near mile marker 129 northbound on I-95 in Waterville. A 2006 Chevy Pickup being driven by 25-year-old Jace Tillson of Clinton was driving too fast when he attempted to go out around a 2015 Mercedes SUV being driven by 65-year-old Kemily Benes of Embden. Tillson attempted to pass Benes in the breakdown lane but struck Benes in the passenger side. Tillson then lost control of his pickup truck. It rolled over into the breakdown lane just before the Messalonskee Stream Bridge and caught fire. The interstate was shut down for approximately 1 ½ hours while emergency crews worked to put out the fire and remove both vehicles. 
There were no injuries.
 

Maine’s April storm is bringing rain, snow and poor driving conditions.

On Friday, April 16, 2021, between 5am and 6am, Maine State Police (MSP) responded to three separate crashes on the Turnpike; all due to hydroplaning.

At 5:52am MSP responded to a crash at Mile 15 Southbound in Ogunquit. 
The driver of the 15 passenger van hydroplaned and crashed into the guardrail.  The vehicle’s fuel tank ruptured and caught fire. 

The driver escaped without injury.  There were no passengers in the van at the time of the crash.
Maine State Police would like to remind drivers to reduce speeds, make sure their vehicle’s tires are in good working condition and that hydroplaning, which reduces a driver’s ability to stop or steer, is a dangerous reality in inclement weather.

From the desk of Shannon Moss

A Maine Turnpike worker escaped serious injury this morning when a tractor trailer, half loaded with wine, sideswiped a turnpike truck.

This happened on Thursday at 9:45 am at Mile Marker 92 North in Litchfield.

According to The Maine State Police the turnpike truck was parked in the breakdown lane with amber lights flashing. The driver and passenger had exited the vehicle to retrieve construction signs.

The crew was finished picking up trash for the day when the loaded tractor-trailer truck was northbound and drifted into the breakdown lane hitting the rumble strip. The noise alerted the workers who were able to get into the ditch safely. The tractor-trailer sideswiped the pickup and then continued into the ditch where the truck rolled over.

The truck spilled its load of wine in the ditch.

The truck was driven by William Rodney Harrington, 59, from Hartford Conn.

A worker from the Turnpike, Michael Robinson, 43, was hit in the leg from debris flying from the crash. He was treated at the hospital.

Harrington was also treated for minor injuries at the hospital.

Harrington was summonsed for a logbook violation and failure to move over.