Lewiston Motorcyclist Going the Wrong-Way on I-295 Dies in Crash

A Lewiston man has died after operating his motorcycle on the wrong side of the interstate in Yarmouth.

Maine Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss says the crash happened just after 8:00 Sunday night in Yarmouth. A Harley-Davidson motorcycle driven by 47-year-old John Rivard of Lewiston had collided head-on with a Honda Accord, driven by a person from Brunswick. Rivard was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Honda was not hurt.

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An investigation into the circumstances of the crash determined that Rivard had been traveling north in the southbound lanes of I-295 when his motorcycle struck the other vehicle head-on. Officials say it appears that Rivard had entered the interstate from the Exit 15 southbound off-ramp.

Both I-295 southbound lanes were closed to traffic by the Maine Department of Transportation for about 2 1/2 hours, while law enforcement processed the scene. This crash remains under investigation.

Maine State Police were assisted at the scene by members of the Yarmouth Police Department, Falmouth Police Department, Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, and by Yarmouth Fire/Rescue.