YORK, ME — Maine State Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred on the Maine Turnpike on Monday afternoon.
Troop G Troopers responded to the crash at Mile 5 southbound at approximately 3:14 p.m.
The preliminary investigation indicates a 2022 Western Star tractor-trailer was stopped in the breakdown lane with a mechanical malfunction.
The operator of the tractor-trailer had placed reflective warning triangles in the breakdown lane as required.
A 2014 Toyota sedan operated by Janice Goldsmith, 81, of Needham, Massachusetts, struck the rear of the tractor-trailer while it was stopped.
Goldsmith was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Traffic on the southbound side of the Turnpike was reduced to one lane for approximately three hours while troopers and first responders worked the scene.
Traffic was then limited to two lanes for an additional two hours.
