WELLS, ME — A Maine State Police cruiser was struck from behind while troopers were investigating a crash on the Maine Turnpike on Friday morning.
The incident occurred at approximately 7:12 a.m. at mile marker 19 in the northbound lanes.
Three troopers had parked their marked cruisers with emergency lights activated to divert traffic away from a single-vehicle crash in the median.
Trooper Christopher Caldeira was sitting in his marked blue 2020 Ford Explorer with emergency lights activated when he was hit from behind by a 2023 Mercedes-Benz sedan.
The Mercedes-Benz was operated by Priscilla Eydra Kifayatullah, 31, of Germantown, Wisconsin.
The crash caused significant damage to both vehicles.
Both Kifayatullah and Trooper Caldeira were transported to York Hospital for evaluation of possible minor injuries.
The highway remained open, but traffic was significantly backed up with only one lane open for approximately one hour.
Assisting Maine State Police on scene were the Maine Turnpike Authority, York Fire Department, Ogunquit Fire Department, Wells Fire Department and National Wrecker Service.
The incident remains under investigation.
The initial crash involved a vehicle that slid off into the median.
The driver was not injured.
