September 2025

On Monday, September 1, 2025, at approximately 1:31 PM, the Augusta Regional Communications Center received a report of a plane crash on Flagship Lake in Dead River Township.

The preliminary investigation indicates that a 1956 Cessna 170B float plane was attempting to take off from the lake when it crashed. On board were the pilot, 62-year-old Stephen Vorpagel of Readfield, and one passenger. Both individuals were rescued, brought to shore, and suffered minor injuries/abrasions in the crash.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Agencies assisting in the response and investigation include the Maine State Police, Maine Warden Service, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, local EMS, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Federal Aviation Administration. No additional details are available at this time.

On Thursday, September 4, 2025, at approximately 1:04 PM, Troopers from Troop I responded to a single vehicle crash on the southbound exit 113 off-ramp of I-95 in the city of Augusta.

The initial investigation indicates 54-year-old Shaun McFarlin of Augusta was driving a 2006 Ford pickup truck on the southbound off-ramp when he left the roadway, leading to a rollover crash. McFarlin was pronounced deceased on scene from injuries sustained in the crash. McFarlin was not wearing a seatbelt. Speed is believed to be a factor in the crash.

Troopers on scene were assisted by Augusta Fire & Rescue, Maine DOT, and AC Towing. The off-ramp was shut down for approximately 1.5 hours. The investigation is ongoing.

On Saturday, September 6, 2025, at approximately 8:55 AM, the Bangor Regional Communications Center was advised that an amphibious plane had crashed on Moosehead Lake in Greenville. Maine Game Wardens, local fire and rescue, Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to the incident.

During Greenville’s annual International Seaplane Splash-In, pilot Barry Holtz (76) of Fairport, New York was attempting to land his Grumman G-44A Widgeon, a five-person, twin-engine, amphibious aircraft on to the lake when he crashed. Holtz was alone in the aircraft and received non-life-threatening facial injuries. He was able to escape through a rear door after the main doors would not open. Holtz was transported to the Northern Light CA Dean Hospital for treatment. First responders attempted to locate and recover the sunken aircraft, however due the extreme depth where it entered the water, recovery will take place at a later time.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is the primary investigating agency in all aircraft crashes. Any further questions regarding the investigation of the crash should be directed to the NTSB or the FAA.

On Friday, September 12, 2025, at approximately 12:47 AM, a tractor trailer crashed into the Gorham Road overpass bridge at mile 44 south in Scarborough.

Preliminary investigation showed that the operator of the tractor trailer may have experienced a medical event and struck the center median wall before striking the bridge abutment. The operator was transported to Maine Medical Center with minor injuries.

Southbound was limited to one lane of travel for 5.5 hours and northbound was limited to two lanes of travel for 3 hours. Troop G was assisted by the Maine Turnpike Authority, South Portland Fire, Maine DEP, Ray’s Towing, New England Truck Center, and Clean Harbors. The crash remains under investigation.

On Friday, September 12, 2025, at approximately 7:52 AM, Troopers responded to a crash involving a vehicle and a horse-drawn wagon on Benedicta Road in Sherman.

The initial investigation indicates the driver of a 2003 Toyota pickup attempted to pass the horse and wagon, which were traveling in the same direction, but reported she did not have enough room to safely do so and struck the wagon. The male operator of the wagon was ejected and landed on the roadway. He was transported to Houlton Regional Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The wagon was destroyed in the crash, and the horse sustained a laceration to its leg and foot. The driver of the Toyota, Lindsay Duffy-Stanley (42) of Benedicta, was not injured. She was cited for driving to endanger.

On Sunday, September 14, 2025, at approximately 7:00 AM, Troopers from Troop I responded to a report of a vehicle that had driven off I-295 southbound at the West Gardiner/Gardiner line and into the Cobbosseecontee Stream beneath the bridge. Trooper Tom Bureau arrived within minutes and was advised by a witness that the vehicle was submerged in the water and had not been seen since it crashed. Trooper Bureau immediately removed his duty belt and protective equipment before entering the water in an effort to rescue the driver. Trooper Bureau swam about seven feet down and was able to feel the vehicle but was unable to see due to oil in the water. He remained in the water for approximately five minutes attempting to gain access to the vehicle before learning that the driver had safely escaped and swam to a nearby residence.

The preliminary investigation indicates the driver 27-year-old Brandon Nale of Winslow, fell asleep while driving. His vehicle, a 2020 Audi Sedan left the roadway to the left, traveled down an embankment between the guardrails, struck a sign and a concrete barrier, and then launched into the stream. Nale was able to open the door and swim away before the vehicle sank. He was transported to Maine General Hospital in Augusta with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Maine State Police Dive Team assisted in recovering the vehicle. The left lane of I-295 was shut down for approximately one hour during the recovery. State Police were assisted at the scene by Gardiner Fire & Rescue, West Gardiner Fire, Maine DOT, and AC Towing.

On Saturday, September 13, 2025, at approximately 9:30 PM, the Bangor Regional Communications Center received multiple 911 calls reporting a vehicle operating erratically on I-295 southbound, beginning around Mile Marker 45 in Richmond.

Troopers located the vehicle, a 2021 gray Jeep Wrangler, near Mile Marker 16 southbound in Yarmouth and initiated a traffic stop. During the stop, the driver, 34-year-old Jacob Brown of Scarborough, suddenly fled at a high rate of speed. Troopers attempted to catch up to the vehicle with emergency lights and sirens activated. As the Jeep came into view, it veered off the right side of the roadway, at Mile Marker 13 southbound in Cumberland, crashing into the woods and becoming engulfed in flames.

Brown, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected a short distance from the vehicle. Troopers pulled Brown away from the fire and performed life-saving measures. He was pronounced deceased a short time later.

Preliminary investigation indicates that speed and alcohol were contributing factors in the crash. Assisting agencies included Yarmouth Fire and Rescue and Southern Maine Towing. The crash remains under investigation.

On April 19, 2025, at approximately 10:30 AM, the Maine State Police responded to 128 Boots and Saddle Road in Palermo for a welfare check. Upon arrival, Troopers discovered the body of 56-year-old Robert Bruso of Palermo outside of the residence. Detectives from the Major Crimes Unit Central determined the circumstances of the death to be suspicious, and the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta later ruled the manner of death a homicide.

On September 18, 2025, Detectives charged 58-year-old Kirby Bradford of Liberty with Murder in connection with Bruso’s death. Bradford, who was being held at the Kennebec County Jail on unrelated charges, will make his initial appearance today at 1:00 PM in Waldo County Superior Court.

Bruso owned a golden retriever named Lenny, who has not yet been located. Anyone with information about the location of Lenny, or who may have seen a golden retriever in the area of Route 3 near Boots and Saddle Road and/or Level Hill Road in Palermo, is asked to contact the Augusta Regional Communication Center at 207-624-7076.

On Friday, September 19, 2025, at approximately 10:37 PM, a South Portland police officer had a vehicle stopped on the southbound side of I-295 when she observed a Ford F-250 heading northbound at an excessive speed.

A short time later, the truck, operated by 25-year-old Taylor Delano of Wiscasset crashed into an Acura who was traveling in the same direction. The Ford overturned, broke through a guardrail, and came to rest against several trees. Troopers from Troop I responded and closed off a lane of I-295 for clean-up.

Delano and his passenger were transported to Maine Medical Center in Portland with minor injuries. The driver of the Acura was also transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

Delano is charged with OUI-1 Prior, OUI Revoked-3 Prior, Reckless Conduct with a Dangerous Weapon, and a probation hold. Speed and alcohol were contributing factors in the crash. I-295 northbound was reduced to one lane for several hours while Stewart’s Towing removed the vehicle from the embankment.

In the early morning hours of Sunday, September 21, 2025, Maine State Police Troopers from the Northern Field Troop responded to multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots in the area of 272 Main Street in Corinth. When Troopers arrived, they located a wounded adult male outside of the residence. Troopers provided life-saving measures, and the individual was transported by LifeFlight to a local hospital where he is currently listed in critical condition.

Troopers made entry into a nearby apartment believed to be connected to the incident. Inside, they discovered a deceased male. Detectives from the Major Crimes Unit North and members of the Evidence Response Team were called to the scene to investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident. The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta where on Monday, September 22, 2025, an autopsy was conducted. The deceased was identified as 46-year-old Scott Roberts of Glenburn. The cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.

At this time, no arrests have been made; however, investigators believe this was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing risk to the public. The investigation remains active, and updates will be provided as new information 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 Jake Ferland. 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