FREEPORT

A Gardiner man was killed in a crash on Interstate 295 in Freeport Saturday morning.

The crash was reported in the northbound lanes near Exit 20 just before 10 a.m.

State Police say Raymond Bisson, 50, of Gardiner died at the scene after his car went out of control on I-295. The crash closed the northbound lane for more than three hours.

Troopers said Bisson first collided with a car in the southbound lane driven by Michael Cox, 50, of Durham.

Bisson’s vehicle then crossed the median and was struck broadside by a vehicle occupied by a family from East Haven, Connecticut. The driver, 50-year-old David Pendred, his wife, 45-year-old Laura Pendred and their 10-year-old son Micheal were taken to Maine Medical Center with injuries that weren’t considered life-threatening.

Cox was not injured.

Troopers said speed is a likely factor in the crash and Bisson was not wearing his seatbelt.

It was the first fatal crash on a Memorial Day weekend in Maine since 2014.

McCausland told the Portland Press Herald that there was heavier-than-usual traffic on the highway Saturday morning, but it is doubtful that played a role in the crash.

Secondary crash

Freeport Fire Chief Charles Jordan said he and a crew responded to a secondary crash in the southbound lane involving four or five vehicles due to rubbernecking. Crews evaluated one patient involved but no one was transported. There was also a second crash in the southbound lane that didn’t result in any injuries.

Jordan said the interstate was shut down between Freeport and Yarmouth, and northbound traffic was detoured off Exit 20 onto Desert Road and Route 1.

According to the Maine Turnpike Authority traffic alerts, some traffic was also diverted off Exit 17 in Yarmouth.

The Press Herald reported that the northbound lanes were closed for 3½ hours as state troopers and emergency crews responded to the scene. The northbound lanes were reopened about 1:15 p.m.

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