Two adults were killed and four children were injured early Wednesday in a two-vehicle crash on the Maine Turnpike, authorities said.
Maine State Police said the crash was reported around 4:26 a.m. on I-95 southbound near mile marker 71 in New Gloucester. Troopers arrived to find a 2017 GMC Acadia that had been towing a U-Haul trailer and a 2015 Audi SUV heavily damaged.
According to the preliminary investigation, the GMC had been traveling south when its trailer detached from the trailer ball but remained connected to the vehicle by safety chains. The driver pulled onto the right shoulder and stopped, though the trailer remained partially in the roadway.
Six people from Lewiston were inside the GMC, including four children ages 7 to 14. Police said the adult male driver, an adult female passenger, and two of the children got out of the vehicle to inspect the trailer. A southbound Audi SUV then struck both the trailer and the GMC from behind.
The adult female died at the scene, police said. The driver suffered critical injuries and later died at Maine Medical Center. The two children who were outside the vehicle and the two who remained inside all sustained minor injuries and were transported to Maine Medical Center.
Authorities said relationship details are still being confirmed, and identities will be released once they are verified and next-of-kin have been notified.
The Audi’s driver, an adult male from Wales, suffered minor injuries and was transported to Maine Medical Center, where he was treated and released. Police said no charges are being filed at this time.
The crash remains under active investigation. Maine State Police thanked Gray Fire and Rescue, Auburn Fire and Rescue, the Auburn Police Department, and the Maine Turnpike Authority for assisting at the scene.
