A tragic scene unfolded on the Maine Turnpike yesterday, where a collision involving a tractor trailer and two other vehicles resulted in the deaths of two individuals. According to a social media post by the Maine State Police, the accident occurred at mile marker 14 southbound on I-95 in Ogunquit at around 6:05 AM.
The initial investigation revealed that Xiaoying Ma, a 35-year-old truck driver employed by EW Logistics of Hauppauge, NY, was traveling northbound before losing control, breaking through the median guardrail into oncoming southbound traffic. Subsequently, a Cadillac sedan, operated by Linda Huelsman, 64, of Kennebunk, was struck, and she perished at the scene. The turmoil extended as a Mack Box truck, owned by EAN Holdings of Tulsa, OK, and operated by 55-year-old Brian Ellis of Kittery, became a second victim in this unexpected tragedy. Ellis was transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The Maine State Police's Troop G responded to the incident, which led to the closure of the southbound lanes at Exit 14 in Wells. As stated in the same social media post, weather conditions might have played a role in the crash. While two lanes have since been reopened, the situation caused significant disruptions to traffic throughout the morning.
Assisting at the site were multiple agencies, including the Ogunquit and Wells Fire Departments, Maine DEP, Maine Turnpike Maintenance, and National Wrecker. Ma, the driver of the tractor trailer, was taken to York Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. As the investigation is ongoing, details are being forwarded to the York County District Attorney’s Office to determine potential criminal charges.
