Ogunquit, ME — February 13, 2025, Linda Huelsman was killed and Brian Ellis and one other were injured after an 18-wheeler accident at 6:05 a.m. on I-95.

Initial details about the accident say that it happened along both directions of I-95 in the area of the Captain Thomas Bridge.

According to reports, roads were snowy at the time as 64-year-old Linda Huelsman and 55-year-old Brian Ellis were in separate vehicles going southbound. A northbound 18-wheeler apparently lost control, causing it to veer left and crash through the median. It crashed into Huelsman and Ellis's vehicles as a result.

Due to the collision, Linda Huelsman was killed. Brian Ellis and the driver of the 18-wheeler were injured. At this time, specifics factors leading to the crash are unavailable.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

I've already seen initial concerns from authorities about the role weather may have played in this accident. To be clear, I don't doubt the winter weather conditions played some sort of role. However, a trained commercial driver traveling through Maine during the winter should be prepared to meet these kinds of conditions. Other truck drivers all over the state are able to operate safely in snowy conditions. What was different about this situation that it ended with someone losing their life?

A proper investigation into this crash will need to determine whether the truck driver was operating safely for the conditions. Were they driving at an appropriate speed, or were they going too fast for the snowy roads? Were they maintaining a safe following distance, or did they misjudge how much space they needed to stop? Did they take the necessary precautions, such as using chains or other winter driving techniques, to keep their vehicle under control? These are all critical questions that go beyond just blaming the weather.

Beyond the driver’s actions, there’s also the question of what role their employer may have played in the crash. Was the company pressuring the driver to stay on schedule despite dangerous conditions? Did they provide the proper training for winter driving, or did they put an unqualified driver behind the wheel? Was the truck itself properly maintained, with tires and brakes in good condition to handle icy roads?

Frankly, I've handled countless accident cases where authorities overlooked these important questions and put too much focus on the weather conditions. This can lead to incomplete and inaccurate stories, and families in search of answers may be left empty-handed. That's why it may be helpful to ensure there is a second set of eyes on the crash that can dig into these more complex possible factors. Either they'll confirm that authorities are hard at work getting the facts, or they'll reveal new information that otherwise would have been overlooked.