Port City man dies in early morning crash on high-span Pisquataqua River Bridge

The high-span bridge over the Piscataqua River Bridge that connects Maine and New Hampshire (Courtesy photo)

PORTSMOUTH - A Portsmouth man who worked as a Biddeford Police Officer was killed early Thursday when he crashed into a box truck that had stopped for a two-car crash in the southbound lanes of the high span Pisquataqua River Bridge.

As troopers tended to the initial crash around 1:15 a.m., a box truck stopped in traffic on the Maine side of the bridge was rear-ended by a Toyota Camry, according to an initial investigation.

The driver of the Toyota, 41-year-old Jacob Wolterbeek of Portsmouth, was pronounced deceased on scene.

Wolterbeek, who served as a sergeant with the Biddeford (Maine) Police Department, was returning home after his shift when the crash occurred. He had served with the department for 18 years.

Biddeford Police Chief JoAnne W. Fisk said Wolterbeek was a dedicated police officer and asset to the department.

"Sergeant Wolterbeek was a respected member of the Biddeford Police Department and a valued city employee," she said in a statement. "In this time of sorrow, our thoughts and prayers are with Sergeant Wolterbeek's family, friends, and colleagues. We extend our deepest condolences and offer our full support to them during this difficult time. We ask the community to join us in honoring Sergeant Wolterbeek's memory and service."

The crash remains under investigation.