Two Maine Department of Transportation workers were killed and one was injured Tuesday after being struck on Interstate 95 in Waterville, officials said.

State police responded to the crash shortly before 9:40 a.m., according to Maine Department of Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss.

MaineDOT was performing bridge construction work and had closed the travel lane at the end of the southbound on-ramp from Kennedy Memorial Drive using cones and a posted stop sign, Moss said. 

“The initial investigation indicates the operator of a gray Kia minivan failed to stop at the posted stop sign and then attempted to enter the passing lane… of I-95 southbound, where the minivan was struck by a tractor-trailer,” Moss said. “As a result of the collision, the minivan was forced into the work zone, striking three Maine Department of Transportation workers who were working at the site. The impact propelled two of the workers over the bridge and onto Kennedy Memorial Drive below.”

Two workers were declared deceased at the scene. They are James Brown, 60, and Dwayne Campbell, 51, both of Waterville.

The third worker who was struck was transported to a hospital with injuries believed to be non-life-threatening.

The minivan’s driver, a 34-year-old Augusta woman, was also transported to a hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening.

Two young children were in the minivan at the time, but were not injured, according to Moss. The tractor-trailer’s driver was uninjured.

All southbound lanes were closed for several hours as Maine State Police investigated. One lane had reopened as of 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Kennedy Memorial Drive westbound was also shut down, and an eastbound lane was closed for several hours.

The crash remains under investigation. 

The Maine State Police, Gov. Janet Mills and MaineDOT Acting Commissioner Dale Doughty have offered their condolences to those affected. 

“Today, two public servants from MaineDOT tragically lost their lives while serving the people of Maine,” Mills said. “Our hearts are with their families, loved ones and all MaineDOT employees during this unimaginably painful time. MaineDOT workers put themselves in harm’s way every day to keep our roads safe and our infrastructure strong.” 

Mills also implored motorists to slow down and give road crews room to work safely.

“Our hearts are broken, and our thoughts and prayers are with their families, loved ones and coworkers during this unimaginable loss,” Doughty said. “These individuals were dedicated public servants who took great pride in keeping Maine’s roads safe for others.”