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Cops: Maine Highway Pileup Likely Largest Crash in State's History

Maine State Police
The scene Wednesday at a 70-vehicle pileup on I-95 in Etna.

ETNA, Maine - State police say the 75-car pileup that injured at least 17 people on a Maine interstate is likely the largest motor vehicle crash in state history.

Police say the pileup on Interstate 95 began in Carmel and Etna at about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday when the vehicles became entangled in chain-reaction crashes caused by snow and speed.

Police say they are still compiling paperwork from all the crashes and interviewing drivers who were involved.  State police spokesman Steve McCausland says it's doubtful the case will be resolved on Thursday.

State Police Lt. Sean Hashey said on Wednesday that investigators may never determine exactly which vehicles hit each other because of the enormity of the crash. He did not rule out the possibility of criminal charges.

The accident closed a northbound stretch of the highway for about five hours near the Bangor area.