YORK — An accident on the Maine Turnpike in York on Friday afternoon resulted in one death, according to State Police.

Lynne Richardson, 61, of Mount Desert, died at the scene of a two car accident that occurred around mile 13 near the York exit at approximately 2 p.m., said State Police Sgt. James Urquhart.

The accident occurred when “for some unknown reason,” Richardson’s husband, John Drolett, who was driving in the southbound lane, hit the rear of the vehicle in front of him, said the sergeant.

The cause of the accident is under investigation, said Urquhart.

Although there was only minor damage to the vehicle that was hit, the 2015 Subaru Forester, that Drolett was driving, went over an embankment and struck a tree.

After the accident, Richardson was alert and talking and a Lifeflight helicopter was called to the scene. However, she died before she could be airlifted.

Drolett has been transported to Massachusetts General Hospital, said Urquhart who said the man’s injuries don’t appear to be life threatening.

The driver of the vehicle that was hit, who was alone, was not injured, he said.

Shortly after the crash in the southbound lane of the turnpike, a “residual crash” took place in the same vicinity in the northbound lane, said Urquhart, adding that he believes that accident resulted from “gawkers” looking at the accident in the southbound lane.

No one was injured in the second accident, he said.

There were major traffic tie-ups resulting from the accidents, said Urquhart. When the Lifeflight helicopter landed, for about 30 minute all three lanes of southbound traffic were closed. All lanes on both sides of the turnpike were re-opened by about 5 p.m.

Urquhart said blood alcohol tests were taken of the operators of the vehicles involved in the accidents but said he could not release those results.

Urquhart advises drivers to drive carefully especially on the weekends when traffic is heavy and “to be cognizant of their surroundings.”

— Associate Editor Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.

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