2026

On August 15, 2026, at approximately 3:35 PM, the Bangor Regional Communications Center began receiving calls about a vehicle traveling over 100 mph and driving erratically northbound on I-295 in the Bowdoinham area.

Ultimately, 14 people called 911 to report this dangerous driving. Troopers worked to narrow down the vehicle's location as each call provided an updated mile marker. Troopers located the vehicle northbound on I-95 in Waterville and conducted a traffic stop after observing the previously reported driving.

As a result of the roadside investigation, Alexandre Forsythe, 22, of Jaffrey, New Hampshire, was charged with Criminal OUI and Criminal Speed.

On Sunday, August 16, 2026,at approximately 7:19 PM, the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Maine State Police with an investigation related to an apparent assault on Pine Street in Guilford. The Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office responded to 24 Pine Street for a wellbeing check and moments later located two seriously injured adults inside a neighboring residence at 26 Pine Street. An adult male and adult female were transported to the hospital. The male died from his injuries while being transported to the hospital. The female remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Due to the facts and circumstances of the case, the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit – North was assigned to provide assistance to the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office. Throughout the evening and overnight hours, the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office, Office of Chief Medical Examiner, Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit – North and other law enforcement partners worked to further the investigation. Due to the complexity of the investigation, the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit – North will take the lead on the investigation moving forward, with the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office remaining involved as a key investigative partner. Members of the Maine State Police Evidence Response Team will process available evidence at the scene. The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, where an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause and manner of death.

As a result of the initial investigation, 49-year-old Ryan Carleton of Guilford was taken into custody by the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office on the charge of Aggravated Assault. Carleton is currently being held at the Piscataquis County Jail. His charges will be elevated pending an arraignment on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 11:45 am, at the Piscataquis County Judicial Center.

Law enforcement believes this is an isolated incident and there are no ongoing public safety concerns.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Anyone with relevant information related to this case is asked to contact the Maine State Police at 207-973-3700, ext. 9, and ask to speak with Det. Jacob Ferland.

Information related to this case may also be submitted to the Major Crimes Unit – North via an on-line tip portal. https://www.maine.gov/dps/msp/about/report-crime/major-crimes-unit-north

On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at approximately 4:56 PM, Capitol Police responded to a report of a suspicious package that had been opened inside Maine Revenue Services at 51 Commerce Drive in Augusta. Capitol Police requested assistance from the Maine State Police Bomb Squad. The individual who handled the package moved it outside and contacted authorities.

Out of an abundance of caution, the building was evacuated while the package was evaluated. The Maine State Police Bomb Squad responded to the scene. Through X-ray imaging and presumptive field testing, investigators determined there were no explosive or biological hazards inside the package.

No injuries were reported. The Maine State Police Bomb Squad was assisted by the Augusta Fire Department and the 11th Army National Guard Civil Support Team.

The incident remains under investigation. No additional information is being released at this time.

On Monday, August 10, 2026, at approximately 1:20 AM, Maine State Police responded to an incident involving a tractor-trailer on the Turnpike southbound near mile marker 58 in Cumberland.

The initial investigation indicates that a tractor-trailer owned by Lowe and Bassett LLC was hauling asphalt for a paving project when an axle broke, puncturing the truck’s diesel tanks and hydraulic lines. The truck continued for approximately three-quarters of a mile, spilling several hundred gallons of diesel fuel before coming to a stop. The truck was partially in the right travel lane and was removed by Copp Motors.

The right southbound lane remains closed while crews work to clean up the spill. The closure is expected to remain in place for several hours, and motorists should expect delays in the area. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection and Maine Turnpike Authority are assisting with the cleanup.

On Sunday, August 9, 2026, at approximately 4:00 PM, Maine State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash on the Turnpike southbound near mile marker 66 in Gray.

The initial investigation indicates that 33-year-old Bright Appiah of Portland was operating a white 2018 Nissan Rogue southbound and had pulled onto the shoulder of the Turnpike near mile marker 66. As Appiah attempted to merge back into traffic, Appiah overcorrected while accelerating and lost control of the vehicle. The Nissan crossed into the median and struck the median guardrail. Appiah and the two passengers in the vehicle were transported to Maine Medical Center in Portland with non-life-threatening injuries. Several motorists stopped immediately following the crash to assist.

Within minutes, off-duty firefighters, EMTs and a doctor also stopped and rendered aid. The Maine State Police would like to thank those who stopped to help and provided assistance at the scene. The crash remains under investigation. Assisting the Maine State Police were New Gloucester Fire/EMS, Auburn Fire/EMS and the Maine Turnpike Authority.

On Friday, August 7, 2026, at approximately 9:39 PM, Maine State Police responded to a reported crash involving a motorcycle and an SUV on U.S. Route 1 in Hancock.

The operator of the motorcycle, 29-year-old Richard Ryan of Hancock, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The operator of the SUV was not injured. The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation.

Troopers are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who has information that could assist with the investigation to contact Trooper Bagley through the Bangor Regional Communications Center at 207-973-3700. No additional information is available at this time.

On Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at approximately 6:47 PM, Troopers responded to a report of a motorcycle crash in the median of Interstate 295 northbound near mile marker 18 in Freeport.

The initial investigation indicates that 78-year-old Edmund Goodman of Freeport was operating a 2016 Indian Springfield motorcycle northbound when he left the roadway to the left and traveled onto the grass-covered shoulder, where the motorcycle struck the raised edge of a crossover. The impact caused the motorcycle to overturn multiple times, ejecting Goodman.

Several medically trained motorists who were passing by immediately stopped and rendered aid; however, Goodman died at the scene from injuries he sustained in the crash. Investigators believe Goodman likely suffered a medical event moments before leaving the roadway. The crash involved only Goodman’s motorcycle.

The left northbound travel lane was closed for several hours while Troopers investigated the crash and crews cleared the scene. Assisting the Maine State Police at the scene were the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office, Yarmouth Fire and Rescue, the Maine DOT, and Copp Motors. The crash remains under investigation.

On Sunday, August 2, 2026, at approximately 6:55 PM, Maine State Police responded to a three-vehicle crash at the intersection of Route 1 and Old Route 1 in Gouldsboro. Multiple injuries were reported, and one vehicle had rolled over, trapping its occupants.

The initial investigation indicates that 46-year-old Courtney Washington of Bangor was operating a white 2024 Subaru Crosstrek northbound on Old Route 1 when she failed to stop at a stop sign. Her vehicle struck a 2025 Green Chevrolet Trailblazer operated by 39-year-old Heather Allen of Ellsworth, who was traveling eastbound on Route 1. The impact caused Allen’s vehicle to spin into the westbound lane of Route 1, where it was struck by a red 2014 Subaru Legacy which was traveling westbound on Route 1. The impact caused Allen’s vehicle to roll over. Allen was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.

A passenger in Allen’s vehicle was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Washington sustained minor injuries and was also transported to a local hospital. The operator of the Subaru Legacy was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.  

Route 1 was closed for several hours while Troopers investigated the crash and crews cleared the scene. The investigation into the crash remains ongoing. No additional information is available at this time.

On Friday, July 24th, at approximately 5:58 PM, the Franklin County Regional Communication Center received a 911 call reporting a shooting on Jobie Road in the town of Avon. Deputies from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office responded and located 53-year-old Jessica Cairnie, who was suffering from a single gunshot wound. Cairnie was eventually life-flighted to Maine Medical Center.

Due to the nature of the investigation, the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South and the Maine State Police Evidence Response Team responded. The initial investigation revealed that Cairnie was shot during an altercation over a child custody dispute involving another member of her family. Major Crimes Unit Detectives and members of the Evidence Response Team worked through the night and into Saturday, collecting evidence and conducting interviews.

The shooter was identified by investigators and is cooperating with law enforcement. This is an isolated incident, and there is no risk to the public. The investigation is ongoing as the Major Crimes Unit works with the Franklin County District Attorney’s Office.

The names of those involved are currently being withheld, as this is an active investigation.

South Portland - July 27, 2026. At approximately 4:00 AM, State Troopers responded to a report of a rollover involving a box truck, southbound at mile marker 2 on Interstate 295.

The preliminary investigation determined that the box truck, operated by 40-year-old Jose Cancel of Newport, Rhode Island, was traveling northbound when the driver swerved to avoid three deer in the roadway. The truck overcorrected, struck the median guardrail, overturned, and came to rest blocking the southbound travel lanes. Cancel was not injured in the crash.

The truck was transporting household goods, and its cargo was scattered across the roadway. Troopers have opened one lane but remind motorists to expect delays.

UPDATE: At approximately 10:30 AM on Monday, July 27th, all lanes going southbound in the area were opened to traffic.