2025

On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at approximately 4:26 AM, Maine State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on I-95 southbound near mile marker 71 in New Gloucester. Upon arrival, Troopers located a serious crash involving a 2017 GMC Acadia towing a U-Haul trailer and a 2015 Audi SUV. The preliminary investigation indicates that the GMC, which was traveling southbound, became detached from the trailer ball remaining connected only by safety chains. The driver of the GMC pulled to the right shoulder and stopped, with the trailer still partially in the roadway.

Six people were in the GMC, including four children ranging in age from 7 to 14, all from Lewiston. Four occupants, an adult male driver, an adult female passenger, and two of the four children exited the vehicle and were attempting to address issues with the trailer when a southbound 2015 Audi SUV struck the trailer and the GMC from behind.

The adult female was pronounced deceased at the scene. The adult male driver suffered critical injuries and was transported to Maine Medical Center, where he later died. The two children who were outside the vehicle sustained minor injuries. The two children who remained inside the GMC also suffered minor injuries. All four children were transported to Maine Medical Center. Relationship information and family details are still being confirmed. Identities will not be released until verification is complete and next-of-kin notifications have been made.

The driver of the Audi, an adult male from Wales, sustained minor injuries. He was transported to Maine Medical Center where he was treated and released. No charges are being filed against the driver at this time.

The dynamics and circumstances of the crash remain under active investigation.  

Maine State Police would like to thank Gray Fire and Rescue, Auburn Fire and Rescue, Auburn Police Department, United Ambulance, New Gloucester Fire and Rescue, and the Maine Turnpike Authority for their assistance at the scene.

On November 17, 2025, at approximately 5:55 AM, the Maine State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash on I-95 northbound near Mile Marker 143 in Pittsfield.

Troopers arrived to find a 2012 Subaru Impreza that had gone into the median and become lodged in the trees. The driver, 56-year-old Rae Hartford of Scarborough was pronounced deceased at the scene and had to be extricated from the vehicle.

Preliminary investigation indicates speed and intoxication were likely contributing factors. Lane 1 was shut down for approximately two hours.

The crash remains under investigation. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Trooper Klayton Peckham at 207-973-3700, Ext. 9. Assisting on scene was Pittsfield Rescue and Blanchard’s Towing.

On Thursday, November 13, 2025, at approximately 9:21 PM, the Maine State Police, Fairfield Police Department, and Waterville Police Department responded to a report of a burglary in progress at a residence on Dyer Court in Fairfield. It was reported that an armed male, who appeared to be under the influence of drugs, had forced entry into the residence, was acting erratically, and was damaging property.

A Trooper arrived first and observed a male fleeing the residence and getting into a black Ford sedan. The suspect did not comply with the Trooper’s commands and began yelling out the window as he backed up the street and fled from Dyer Court. A Trooper caught up to the vehicle, but the operator failed to stop. A motor vehicle pursuit ensued through Waterville, ending when the suspect’s vehicle struck a guardrail on Water Street. The vehicle came to a stop, and the operator fled on foot. A short time later, the suspect was taken into custody without incident. There were no injuries reported.

The suspect was identified as 27-year-old Joel Williams of Vassalboro. Williams was arrested and transported to the Somerset County Jail where he was charged with the following crimes: Burglary, Criminal Mischief, Terrorizing, Eluding an Officer, Driving to Endanger, OUI Drugs, Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident, Criminal Speed, Reckless Conduct, Refusing to Submit to Arrest or Detention, and Violating Conditions of Release.

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, 32-year-old Michael McGregor of Skowhegan, outside of the residence. Troopers provided life-saving measures, and McGregor was transported by LifeFlight to a local hospital where he received medical treatment for gunshot wounds. Troopers made entry into a nearby apartment where 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.

After an extensive, several weeklong, multi-agency investigation into the incident an arrest warrant was issued for 27-year-old Jawon Owens of East Hartford, Connecticut, for the crimes of Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Aggravated Assault with a Firearm. On Thursday, November 13, 2025, Jawon Owens was arrested by members of the Hartford Police Department without incident. Jawon Owens is currently being held at the Hartford Correctional Facility pending extradition back to the State of Maine for an initial appearance at the Bangor Judicial Center.  

At this time, there is no ongoing risk to the public, but the investigation remains active. 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

On Friday, November 14, 2025, at approximately 11:17 AM, the Maine State Police received a report of a man who had fallen from the roof of a moving bus near mile marker 2 southbound on the Maine Turnpike in Kittery. Troopers responded and located several civilians, both motorists and passengers from the bus, providing aid to the injured man. The man, identified as 35-year-old Derrick McDuffy of New York, had suffered serious injuries.

Kittery Fire/EMS transported McDuffy to Portsmouth Regional Hospital with injuries believed to be serious but not life-threatening. Witnesses reported that McDuffy stated he was feeling overheated and opened the bus’s emergency roof access hatch before climbing onto the roof while the bus was in motion. Upon realizing what was happening the driver began slowing the bus and attempting to pull over when McDuffy fell from the roof to the roadway, landing on the shoulder of the Turnpike. The bus involved was operated by Concord Coach Lines. A replacement bus arrived to pick up passengers.

Traffic in the area slowed briefly but was not significantly impacted. Kittery Police and Kittery Fire/EMS assisted on scene. The investigation remains ongoing.

The Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta has confirmed that the human remains discovered in Blaine on October 30, 2025, have been identified as those of 36-year-old Tomis Hoyt of the Presque Isle area.

The cause and manner of death are still pending further investigation. The investigation remains active, and no additional information will be released at this time.

On Friday, October 31, 2025, at approximately 11:30 PM, members of Troop I were dispatched to a report of a wrong-way driver traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of Interstate 295 near mile marker 37 in Bowdoinham. As Troopers responded and attempted to position themselves ahead of the vehicle, additional reports continued to come. A Troop I Trooper was able to position in a crossover and observed the suspect vehicle traveling north in the southbound lanes. The Trooper safely entered the roadway where he successfully boxed the offending vehicle in, resulting in the vehicle stopping.

The driver, identified as 26-year-old Rashard Robinson of Chesapeake, Virginia, was taken into custody without incident. Robinson was transported to the Kennebec County Jail and charged with Operating Under the Influence (OUI) and Reckless Conduct with a Dangerous Weapon. The Maine State Police would like to thank the numerous motorists who reported the wrong-way driver and the assistance from Gardiner Police Department.

On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at approximately 3:32 PM, Troopers from the Maine State Police Northern Field Troop responded to the 32000 Road in Township 41 which is located in Northern Hancock County off the Stud Mill Road, for a report of an unattended death.

A male, later identified as 70-year-old David Bridges of Kennebunk, was found deceased in a bog just off the roadway. Bridges appeared to have been fur trapping in the area.

The cause and manner of death will be determined by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, but the death does not appear to be suspicious. The Maine Warden Service assisted with the investigation.

On Friday, October 24, 2025, at approximately 4:05 PM, a Major Crimes Central Detective was traveling northbound on I-95 in Augusta when the Detective observed a 2008 Toyota Tundra driving erratically and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The Tundra failed to stop despite the Detective activating the cruiser’s blue lights and siren. In the area of mile 119 northbound, the Tundra struck another vehicle, resulting in a crash involving four total vehicles, including the Tundra. The driver of the Tundra fled on foot but was apprehended shortly after by Troop I Troopers who responded to the scene.

A passenger of a 2024 Toyota RAV4 and the driver of a 2013 Buick Enclave were transported to Maine General Hospital in Augusta with non-life-threatening injuries. While on scene, it was learned that the Tundra had recently been stolen in Augusta. As a result, 34-year-old Karl McDougal-Orosco of Pittsfield, was transported to the Kennebec County Jail in Augusta. He faces charges of Eluding an Officer, Driving to Endanger, Reckless Conduct with a Dangerous Weapon, and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.

There were significant traffic delays as a result of the crash; however, no secondary crashes occurred. Sidney Fire & Rescue, Delta Ambulance, and Ready Road Towing assisted on scene.

On Thursday, October 23, 2025, at approximately 4:25 PM, Troopers from the Central Field Troop responded to 1580 Bailey Road in Knox for a report of a shooting. Troopers arrived on scene and determined the victim, 40-year-old Astin Elwell of Knox, had been shot and was driven to Waldo General Hospital in Belfast prior to Troopers arriving. Elwell was later transported to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor with non-life-threatening injuries.

A preliminary investigation indicates three males arrived at the residence in a gold/tan Jeep Cherokee. The males were wearing ski masks, and one of the males shot Elwell as she answered the door. The suspects then fled the scene. Troopers were able to locate a vehicle of interest behind a nearby residence which was seized for evidence processing. The three males have not been located at this time. There is no known risk to the public. This is believed to be an isolated incident.

The Maine State Police Evidence Response Team continued working through the evening to collect evidence. Assisting State Police were the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office, and local EMS/Fire departments. If anyone has information regarding this incident, please contact the Augusta Regional Communications Center at 207-624-7076.