
Two people are dead, and one is hospitalized following a three-vehicle accident on the southbound side of Interstate 95 during snowy conditions early Thursday morning.
Maine State Police responded to the fatal crash at 6:05 a.m. near the Captain Thomas Bridge at Mile Marker 14 southbound on I-95 in Ogunquit.
Police said the initial investigation indicates that a tractor-trailer unit owned by EW Logistics of Hauppauge, New York, and operated by 35-year-old Xiaoying Ma of New York City was traveling northbound when he lost control and crashed through the median guardrail into two southbound vehicles.
The first vehicle, a Cadillac sedan, was operated by 64-year-old Linda Huelsman of Kennebunk, who died at the scene from her injuries. The second vehicle, a Mack Box truck owned by EAN Holdings of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was operated by 55-year-old Brian Ellis of Kittery. Ellis was transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital and later died from his injuries.
Ma, the driver of the tractor-trailer, was taken to York Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The turnpike was temporarily shut down southbound at Exit 14 in Wells during the investigation. The two lanes have since re-opened.
Police believe weather conditions played a role in the crash.
“The investigation is ongoing and will be submitted to the York County District Attorney’s Office for review of any criminal charges,” Maine State Police stated in a press release. Assisting at the accident were the Ogunquit and Wells Fire Departments, Maine DEP, Maine Turnpike Maintenance, and National Wrecker.