Two Maine Department of Transportation workers were killed and another badly injured in a crash on Interstate 95 south in Waterville on Tuesday morning.
The crash occurred around 9:30 a.m. on I-95 south, state police said. The Maine Department of Transportation had closed the travel lane at the end of the southbound on-ramp from Kennedy Memorial Drive using cones and a posted stop sign as part of bridge construction work, with DOT workers present at the site.
State police said their preliminary investigation indicates the driver of a Kia minivan failed to stop at the posted stop sign and then tried to enter the passing lane of I-95 south, where the minivan was then struck by a tractor-trailer that was traveling southbound.
As a result of the crash, the minivan was forced into the work zone, striking three DOT employees who were working at the site, according to police. The impact threw two of the workers over the bridge and onto Kennedy Memorial Drive below. Those two workers died at the scene. A third worker was rushed to a local hospital and is expected to survive.
The two DOT workers who died were identified as James Brown and Dwayne Campbell, both of Waterville. The identity of the third DOT worker has not been released.
The driver of the minivan, identified by police as Samantha Tupper, 34, of Augusta, had two young children in her vehicle, police said. The children were not injured, but Tupper was taken to a local hospital and is expected to be OK.
The tractor-trailer driver was not injured, police said.
All lanes of I-95 south were shut down for several hours while a state police reconstruction unit investigated the crash. One lane of I-95 south has since reopened. Additionally, Kennedy Memorial Drive westbound was shut down and one eastbound lane was shut down for several hours to allow for emergency response and investigation.
The crash remains under investigation and police have not said if any charges will be filed.
Gov. Janet Mills and Maine DOT Acting Commissioner Dale Doughty issued statements in the wake of the crash.
“Today, two public servants from MaineDOT tragically lost their lives while serving the people of Maine. Our hearts are with their families, loved ones, and all MaineDOT employees during this unimaginably painful time,” Mills said. “MaineDOT workers put themselves in harm’s way every day to keep our roads safe and our infrastructure strong. While we are still investigating the circumstances of this tragedy, I implore Maine people to slow down and give our road crews plenty of room. On behalf of the people of Maine, I offer my deepest condolences to all affected by this terrible tragedy.”
“While working on Interstate 95 in Waterville today, two MaineDOT colleagues tragically lost their lives. Our hearts are broken, and our thoughts and prayers are with their families, loved ones, and coworkers during this unimaginable loss,” added Doughty. “These individuals were dedicated public servants who took great pride in keeping Maine’s roads safe for others. A third MaineDOT employee was injured in the incident and is undergoing medical treatment. We ask that they, their families, and the MaineDOT team be kept in your thoughts as we grieve together.”
