Maine State Trooper Injured During Traffic Stop in Biddeford

Photo byMaine Department of Public Safety Spokesperson Shannon Moss

Maine State Police Trooper Patrick Flanagan had his emergency lights activated at a traffic stop on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 7:33 p.m. Trooper Flanagan was located at mile marker 32 southbound on the turnpike in Biddeford when his cruiser was rear-ended by another vehicle.

According to Maine Department of Public Safety Public Information Officer Shannon Moss, the force of the crash caused Trooper Flanagan's cruiser to spin around and hit the vehicle he had pulled over for the traffic stop—the driver of the vehicle that was pulled over suffered minor injuries in the crash. Trooper Flanagan suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital in Portland.

Photo byMaine Department of Public Safety Spokesperson Shannon Moss

Xianying Yu, 25, of Allston, Massachusetts, struck the cruiser, suffered minor injuries, and was taken to a hospital in Biddeford. Yu was summonsed for failing to keep right.

The circumstances that led up to the crash are under investigation.

Maine State Police would like to remind drivers that Maine law requires drivers to move over or slow down when approaching all stopped emergency, public service, or disabled vehicles on the side of the road.

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