A Maine married couple was crushed inside their vehicle in a severe crash on Interstate-95 in York on Tuesday, according to Maine State Police.

Police said that an unloaded tractor-trailer operated by a South Portland man allegedly failed to recognize slower traffic ahead and collided with a smaller car in front of him, crushing the vehicle against a loaded Freightliner that was in front of the smaller vehicle, police said.

Both occupants inside the smaller vehicle, which was a 2014 Lexus RX230, were found deceased inside the crushed car, police said. They were identified as Geoffrey and Elizabeth Gattis, both 68, of Falmouth.

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According to police, traffic had slowed on I-95 due to a major police incident that was being investigated on the southbound side of the highway. Earlier in the day, another Maine man had taken police on a pursuit on I-95 from Kennebunk from York and later crashed into the median.

The Freightliner was allegedly filled with large paper rolls and was operated by Lakhveer Gill, 40, of Brantford, Ontario, Canada, police said. The operator of the unloaded tractor-trailer, which was behind both the Lexus and Freightliner, respectively, was operated by David Herring, 38, of South Portland, per police.

According to police, as a result of reconstruction and investigative efforts police believe Herring did not recognize that traffic had slowed in front of him. Herring's tractor-trailer allegedly crushed the Lexus against the Freightliner, killing the occupants, police said.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and both speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors. The investigation, when completed, will be reviewed by the York District Attorney's Office.

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