PORTLAND — A head-on motor vehicle crash late Saturday night resulted in one fatality and the arrest of a South Portland man, according to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies, along with Gray Fire/EMS, responded to multiple reports of the collision at the intersection of Portland Road and Sugar Maple Road at 11:26 p.m. Upon arrival, they found that a 2022 Jeep Gladiator, operated by Jean Nshimiyimana, 43, had crashed into a 2019 Chevrolet Suburban traveling in the opposite direction.
The driver of the Suburban sustained life-threatening injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two juveniles in the Suburban were transported to Maine Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities are withholding the deceased’s identity pending family notification.
Nshimiyimana was arrested and charged with manslaughter and operating under the influence.
He is currently held at the Cumberland County Jail, and additional charges are anticipated.
Portland Road remained closed for several hours as the Windham Police Department’s Crash Reconstruction Unit investigated the scene.
The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division is investigating the crash’s cause, with speed and alcohol believed to be contributing factors.
The Office of Chief Medical Examiner is determining the cause of death.
During Nshimiyimana’s arraignment, he faced additional charges, including OUI (alcohol) causing death, reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, and aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon.
The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office extended thanks to the Gray Fire Department, Cumberland Police Department, and Windham Police Departments for their assistance at the scene.
