Two motorcyclists riding in the annual United Bikers of Maine Toy Run were killed Sunday after they collided with a pickup truck on I-95 in Augusta.
Maine State Police expect to release the identities of the deceased later Sunday evening after their families have been notified.
Several thousand motorcyclists were taking part in the annual toy run event, according to a news release from Maine Public Safety Spokesman Stephen McCausland.
The crash took place around noon between exits 112 and 113 in the northbound lanes, just after the approximate 3,000 motorcyclists left the Augusta Civic Center.
Augusta police estimated that less than a fourth of those participating in the toy run were ahead of the crash.
Two other motorcyclists were injured in the accident, along with the two occupants in the pickup, which ended up on its side in a ditch next to the highway, McCausland said.
All were taken to MaineGeneral Hospital in Augusta and are being treated with non-life-threatening injuries.
One of the deceased died at the scene, while the other died shortly after at the hospital, McCausland said.
After being shut down for more than two hours, one northbound lane reopened to traffic around 2 p.m. The other lane was expected to reopen around 3:30 p.m.
The cause of the crash has yet to be determined, McCausland said. Troopers are asking for anyone who may have witnessed it to call Maine State Police in Augusta at (207) 624-7076.