Horrific Morning Crash on Maine Turnpike Kills 38-Year-Old Saco Man, Injures Several Others in Fog-Blanketed Pileup Involving Tractor-Trailers, Box Truck, and Cars—Traffic Snarled for Hours as Investigation Unfolds
Portland, Maine – April 14, 2025 — A deadly multi-vehicle accident on the Maine Turnpike Monday morning has left one man dead, several others injured, and traffic paralyzed for hours in one of the worst highway crashes in the state so far this year. Authorities say poor visibility due to dense fog and likely excessive speed were contributing factors in the tragic chain-reaction collision.
The crash occurred just before 7:45 a.m. in the southbound lanes near mile marker 46, north of the Portland/Westbrook exit. Five vehicles were involved, including two tractor-trailers, a box truck, and two passenger vehicles. The crash brought all southbound traffic to a complete standstill, prompting a large-scale emergency response and miles-long backups during the busy morning commute.
Victim Identified as 38-Year-Old Saco Man
Maine State Police have confirmed that the sole fatality was a 38-year-old man from Saco, whose name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. He was reportedly behind the wheel of a silver mid-sized sedan that was crushed between two large trucks. Officials say the impact was so severe that the man was killed instantly.
Emergency crews worked for over an hour to access the vehicle, but due to the extensive damage, there was no possibility of rescue. A blanket covered the crushed car as authorities conducted an initial on-scene investigation.
“This is a tragic loss of life,” said Lieutenant Brian Harris of the Maine State Police. “Fog and limited visibility were major concerns this morning, and unfortunately, that likely played a significant role in this collision.”
Four Others Injured, Two in Critical Condition
Four other individuals sustained injuries in the crash. Two were airlifted to Maine Medical Center via LifeFlight helicopters. One of the injured is a 46-year-old truck driver from New Hampshire who was trapped in his cab and had to be extricated using the Jaws of Life. Another injured party was taken by ambulance to a local hospital with serious injuries, while two others were treated for minor injuries on the scene.
Authorities are continuing to assess the severity of each case and have not released the names of the injured at this time.
Eyewitness Accounts Describe Sudden, Chaotic Scene
Motorists driving behind the wreckage described a terrifying moment of chaos. Megan Lavoie, a commuter from Biddeford who witnessed the crash unfold, told reporters:
“It was very foggy, and traffic had started slowing. Suddenly I heard brakes squealing and then a huge crash. One of the trucks jackknifed and everything stopped. It all happened in seconds.”
Dashcam footage reviewed by investigators shows one of the tractor-trailers attempting to slow down before rear-ending the box truck, setting off the chain-reaction collision that pinned the victim’s sedan between heavy vehicles.
Southbound Turnpike Shut Down for Hours
The Maine Turnpike Authority closed all southbound lanes between exits 48 and 45 as police, fire crews, and hazmat teams responded. Diesel fuel, debris, and even spilled cargo from one of the trucks—which was carrying produce—littered the road.
It took crews nearly six hours to fully clear the wreckage and reopen the lanes. Southbound traffic was diverted to local roads, causing extensive delays in Portland, Westbrook, and surrounding communities well into the afternoon.
Fog and Speed Under Investigation
Authorities say heavy fog at the time of the crash limited visibility to less than 200 feet in some stretches. Combined with high speeds—despite a posted limit of 70 mph—these factors likely contributed to the scale and severity of the crash.
“We are urging drivers to slow down and drive to match conditions,” said Lt. Harris. “Even if the speed limit says 70, if you can’t see more than a few car lengths ahead, that speed becomes dangerous.”
Investigators are examining whether distracted driving or mechanical failure played any role. Toxicology reports are pending for all drivers involved, though no signs of impairment have been observed at this point.
Community Mourns, Tributes Begin to Appear
Although the victim’s name has not yet been publicly released, local sources say he was a long-time Saco resident and a devoted family man who was commuting to work at the time of the crash. Friends and coworkers have begun posting tributes on social media, describing him as “hardworking, kind, and a loving father.”
State Senator Jennifer Brennan issued a statement expressing her condolences to the family of the deceased and calling for renewed safety efforts along the Turnpike.
“This heartbreaking accident is a powerful reminder of how quickly lives can be lost on our highways. I’ll be working with the Department of Transportation to explore what steps can be taken to prevent this from happening again.”
Ongoing Investigation
The crash remains under investigation by the Maine State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit and the state’s Crash Reconstruction Team. Anyone with additional information or dashcam footage is encouraged to contact authorities.
No charges have been filed as of Monday evening, but officials say that could change as the investigation continues.