A helicopter approaches the scene of a crash in Brunswick on Wednesday, Aug. 26. Courtesy of Darcie Moore
Three people were hospitalized — one critically — Wednesday morning after a six-vehicle pileup on Route 1 in Brunswick.
The crash occurred southbound between the Topsham Connector and Maine Street Brunswick, which is a frequently-congested area of Route 1.
First responders block off an area where a multi-car collision occurred on Route 1 in Brunswick. Courtesy of Darcie Moore
According to a statement from Brunswick Police Chief Scott Stewart, traffic in the passing lane of Route 1 south had slowed or stopped when a 2020 Freightliner Box truck carrying live lobsters, driven by Chenda Douer, 48 of Portland, struck the rear of a 2015 Honda Civic, driven by Bianca McKay, 23 of Boothbay.
As a result, McKay’s car was pushed under a 2019 Dodge Caravan, driven by Gordon Beaupre, 71 of Caribou, causing a chain reaction.
McKay sustained life-threatening injuries and had to be extricated from her vehicle. She was flown via rescue helicopter to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston.
The two other drivers were transported to local hospitals with minor injuries and were released.
Three other vehicles were involved in the accident: A 2014 BMW X3, driven by Collen Calder, 36 of Portland; a 2014 Ford Focus, driven by William Whyte, 75 of Leesburg Virginia; a 2018 Chevy Colorado, operated by Mary Ellen McPhee, 66 of Pembroke, Massachusetts.
Numerous wreckers were needed to pull the vehicles apart and remove them from the scene, Stewart said.
Traffic on Route 1 southbound remained closed for about 4 ½ hours. The northbound lanes remained open.
Stewart said that preliminary investigation shows that distracted driving may have been involved.
The aftermath of a multi-vehicle crash in Brunswick on Wednesday. Courtesy of Brunswick Police
“We basically saw the car smushed underneath,” said Brunswick resident Ashley Hunter, who witnessed some of the aftermath. “Its like one of those worst nightmares and I definitely feel bad for the families that are involved in this.”
Bath and Topsham rescue units assisted Brunswick.
The refrigeration unit in Douer’s truck remained operational, keeping the lobsters alive long enough to be transferred to another refrigerated vehicle, Stewart said.
The crash remains under investigation.
This story was updated at 8:15 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 26 to clarify which hospital Bianca McKay was brought to. McKay was transported to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston.
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