News - Maine Construction Worker Hailed as Hero in Fatal I-95 Accident

In Waterville, a tragic accident on Interstate 95 resulted in the death of two Maine Department of Transportation (DOT) workers. The incident, which involved a minivan ignoring stop signals and colliding with a tractor-trailer, has raised safety concerns about the highway's notorious stretch. Chad Manson, one of the DOT workers present at the scene, demonstrated incredible bravery in the face of danger. When the out-of-control vehicle hurtled towards his work crew, Manson instinctively pushed his co-worker out of harm's way, likely saving her life. Unfortunately, his efforts could not save his colleagues James Brown, 60, and Dwayne Campbell, 51, who succumbed to their injuries at the scene. On that fateful Tuesday morning, as part of an ongoing road improvement project, Manson and his crew had been diligently working after setting up necessary precautions, including closing one southbound lane of I-95. The minivan, driven by Samantha Tupper with two children aboard, disregarded these warnings, initiating a deadly chain reaction. As the vehicle veered into the work zone, Manson's actions were critical in avoiding further loss of life. Casandra Manson recounted her husband's split-second heroism, sharing that his priority was his team's safety. Despite his own close brush with death, Manson was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries and released shortly afterward. The trauma of witnessing such a catastrophic event, however, lingers with him, and he requires ongoing support. Investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Maine State Police aim to uncover more details surrounding the crash. Preliminary data reveals that between July and September 2025 alone, 72 accidents occurred along this hazardous section of I-95, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced safety measures. Among these, nearly twenty accidents involved work zones. Manson's courage has been officially recognized as an inspirational instance of heroism arising from tragedy. President of the Maine Service Employees Association, Mark Brunton, acknowledged Manson's extraordinary life-saving actions. Furthermore, the broader implications of this accident have not gone unnoticed, prompting calls for increased safety for road workers. Maine DOT Commissioner Dale Doughty's message resonated with many: every worker deserves to come home safely. As the affected families and colleagues mourn, community support has been strong. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those maintaining our roadways and the high cost of negligence. Chad Manson stands as a beacon of bravery amid this somber narrative, his selflessness amidst the chaos a testament to human courage in the face of adversity.