On December 27, 2024, at approimately 6:04 pm, State Police received numerous reportes of a significant crash southbound near mile marker 42 on the Maine Turnpike in carborough.  Traffic was already congested in the area due to other crashes when a 2017-U-Haul, driven by Jason McAvoy, 59, of Old Orchard Beach, colided with a Tanker Truck operated by Kenneth  Openshaw from Massachusets. The force of this collilsion propelled the tanker forward, striking a 2023 Subaru driven by Thomas Gillis, 32, also of Old Orchard Beach.  This caused a chain reaction, resulting in the Subaru eear-ending a 2025 Dodge cam operated by Zachary Taylor, 31, of Searsmont, shutting all three lanes southbound.

When troopers arrived, they found McAvoy trapped inside the U-Haul.  Several fire departments and several tow trucks quickly responded to ensure his safe extraction.  LIfeFlight promptly landed nearby and transported McAvoy to Maine Medical Center, Portland, while other drivers received treatment at the scene.

Investigators belueve driver fatigue and inattention are the main contrbuting factors for the crash.