Dan Glaun MassLive.com, Springfield, Mass.
HAMPDEN, Maine — Maine State Police Detective and Easthampton native Ben Campbell was fatally wounded while helping a motorist on Interstate 95 Wednesday morning, Maine State Police said.
Campbell, a six-year veteran of the force, was assisting a driver whose vehicle spun out when a wheel came off of a passing tractor-trailer and struck him, causing fatal injuries, Maine State Pol. John Cote said at a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
Our hearts are broken at the loss of our brother Det. Ben Campbell. Thank you all for your support on this terrible…
Posted by Maine State Police – Headquarters on Wednesday, April 3, 2019
“This has been a tough day. It has been a tough day for the Campbell family, with the loss of Det. Ben Campbell,” Cote said, his voice shaking with emotion. “And it has been a tough day for our agency. We’ve lost one of our very best and we’ve certainly lost one of Maine’s very best.”
Campbell was traveling to a training on I-95 southbound when he came across a spun-out vehicle that was in the breakdown lane and partially obstructing a travel lane, Cote said. He had exited his vehicle to provide help when two wheels came off of a passing truck in a case of “bizarre” timing," Cote said.
One wheel rolled into the median, while the other struck Campbell, causing fatal injuries.
Campbell, 31, grew up in Easthampton and was a graduate of Westfield State College, Cote said
He joined Maine State Police in 2012 as a trooper and was promoted to detective in 2016. He is survived by his wife and six-month-old son.
Trooper killed in crash
WATCH LIVE: Maine State Police hold a press conference after a state trooper was killed in a crash on I-95 in Hampden.
Posted by WGME CBS 13 News, Portland on Wednesday, April 3, 2019
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