Sgt. Jacob Wolterbeek, 41, was an 18-year veteran of the Biddeford Police Department and leaves behind a wife and three young children
A police sergeant was killed in a crash that occurred early Thursday morning on the Piscataqua River Bridge that carries Interstate 95 from New Hampshire to Maine.
Maine State Police said they are investigating the fatal crash that involved two vehicles and occurred on the southbound side of the Maine Turnpike on the high-rise bridge at 1:14 a.m.
Their initial investigation indicates that traffic had stopped on the Maine-New Hampshire border due to a crash on the New Hampshire side of the bridge. A box truck was stopped in traffic on the Maine side of the bridge when a Toyota Camry driven by 41-year-old Jacob Wolterbeek, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, crashed into the rear of the box truck.
Wolterbeek was pronounced dead at the scene.
Wolterbeek, an 18-year veteran of the Biddeford Police Department, was on his way back home to Portsmouth after his shift when the collision occurred.
Wolterbeek leaves behind a wife and three young children, according to Biddeford Police Chief JoAnne Fisk.
"Sergeant Wolterbeek was a respected member of the Biddeford Police Department and a valued City employee," Fisk said in a statement posted online. "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 full support to them during this difficult time. We ask the community to join us in honoring Sergeant Wolterbeek's memory and service."
First responders gathered along the Maine Turnpike Thursday morning to honor Sgt. Wolterbeek, and state police in both NH and Maine expressed their condolences on social media.
"Our sincerest condolences go out to the family and friends of Sgt. Wolterbeek, as well as our brothers and sisters with the Biddeford PD," Maine State Police wrote on Facebook.
"On behalf of the men and women of the New Hampshire State Police, I extend our deepest condolences to the Biddeford Police Department following the tragic loss of Sgt. Jacob Wolterbeek early this morning," Col. Mark Hall said in a statement. "During this difficult time, we stand in solidarity with Sgt. Wolterbeek's family, law enforcement colleagues, and his neighbors in Portsmouth."
Southbound lanes of I-95 were shut down for several hours following the crash but have since reopened.
The crash remains under investigation by Maine State Police. Details of services for Wolterbeek will be shared as they become available, Biddeford police said.
Last month, an Endicott Police sergeant was killed in a wrong-way crash on I-95 in Newbury, Massachusetts, as he was driving home early on Thanksgiving after leaving his evening shift on campus.
