Slick conditions on Waterville bridge cause multiple crashes, claim woman's life

Scene of Friday's crash on a Waterville bridge that claimed the life of a Maine woman. (MSP photo)

WATERVILLE, Maine - Icy conditions on the Messalonskee bridge led to dozens of vehicles being involved in 10 crashes on Friday evening, State Police say.

The Augusta Regional Communications Center began receiving numerous calls around 7:20 p.m. for multiple multi-vehicle crashes in both the north and southbound lanes of Interstate 95 due to icy roadways on the bridge.

As the bridge became congested on the northbound lane, numerous secondary crashes occurred.

The lone fatality occurred when 59-year-old Michelle Demchak of Madison was driving a Ford Escape and stopped to render aid to the occupant of a 2014 Hyundai Accent sedan that had crashed into the bridge barrier.

While she was helping the motorist 39-year-old Bradford Enos of Atkinson, who was driving a 2015 Ford F-150 towing a car carrier, entered the crash area and struck the Hyundai and hit Demchak who was standing near the car. Demchak was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.

Maine State Police shut down both the north and southbound lanes and diverted traffic into Waterville for around two and a half hours.

Three people were transported to local hospitals with nonlife threatening injuries.

Overall 10 crashes were reported between the north and southbound lanes. State Troopers and the Crash Reconstruction Team are investigating the fatal crash. Preliminary information suggests that imprudent speed during inclement road conditions appear to be contributing factors in all of the crashes.