Brian Ellis, Linda Huelsman Obituary, Death – A devastating crash on the Maine Turnpike in Ogunquit claimed the lives of two people Thursday morning, shutting down the highway’s southbound lanes for several hours.
Maine State Police identified the victims as 55-year-old Brian Ellis of Kittery and 64-year-old Linda Huelsman of Kennebunk. The accident occurred around 6:05 a.m. when a tractor-trailer, driven by 35-year-old Xioaying Ma of New York City, lost control and veered through the median guardrail, striking two vehicles traveling in the opposite direction.
Ma was operating a truck owned by EW Logistics, based in Hauppauge, New York. After the crash, he was transported to York Hospital with injuries that were reported as non-life-threatening.
Huelsman, who was driving a Cadillac sedan, was pronounced dead at the scene. Ellis was behind the wheel of a Mack box truck owned by EAN Holdings of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was taken to Portsmouth Regional Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Authorities believe weather conditions may have played a role in the accident. The York County District Attorney’s Office is now reviewing the case to determine whether any criminal charges will be filed.
The Maine Turnpike Authority issued an alert around 6:30 a.m. informing drivers about the crash at mile 15, between the Wells and York exits. The southbound lanes near Exit 14 in Wells remained closed for several hours as emergency responders worked at the scene, eventually reopening around noon.
Vehicles involved in the crash were scattered across all three lanes, but police managed to temporarily open the center lane to allow some traffic to pass.
Meanwhile, another crash at mile 57 in Cumberland caused additional delays, adding to the traffic congestion on the turnpike. Authorities continue to investigate both incidents as they work to determine the exact causes of the crashes.
