Wells, ME – A Maine State Police cruiser was struck early Friday morning while troopers were responding to a crash on the Maine Turnpike, causing significant traffic delays and sending two people to the hospital.
According to Maine State Police, the incident occurred Friday around 7:12 a.m. in the northbound median near mile marker 19 in Wells, York County, about 30 miles south of Portland. Troopers were investigating a single-vehicle crash that had slid off the roadway into the median.
Police said three marked cruisers were parked with emergency lights activated to divert traffic away from the crash scene. One of those vehicles, driven by Trooper Christopher Caldeira, was struck from behind while stopped with lights on.
Authorities said a 2023 Mercedes-Benz sedan, operated by 31-year-old Priscilla Eydra Kifayatullah of Germantown, crashed into Caldeira’s 2020 Ford Explorer MSP cruiser, causing heavy damage to both vehicles.
Both Kifayatullah and Trooper Caldeira were transported to York Hospital for evaluation of possible injuries. No life-threatening injuries were reported.
Despite the crash, the Maine Turnpike remained open. However, traffic was reduced to a single lane for approximately one hour, leading to significant backups during the morning commute. Officials later confirmed the scene was cleared and traffic returned to normal flow.
Multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including the Maine Turnpike Authority, York Fire Department, Ogunquit Fire Department, Wells Fire Department, and National Wrecker Service.
State police emphasized the crash highlights the importance of Maine’s Move Over law, which requires drivers to change lanes or slow down when approaching stopped emergency vehicles with flashing lights.
The incident remains under investigation.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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