The man and woman who died on the Maine Turnpike last month have been identified.
Cristovao Cibangu, 48, of Lewiston was driving a 2017 GMC Acadia towing a U-Haul trailer south on the turnpike, near mile marker 71 in New Gloucester, about 4:26 a.m. on Nov. 19, when the U-Haul became detached from the trailer ball and remained connected only by safety chains, according to Shannon Moss, a spokesperson for the Maine Department of Public Safety.
Cibangu pulled over to the right shoulder but the trailer remained partially in the road.
Cibangu, 34-year-old Maria Isabel of Lewiston and two of the four child passengers got out to deal with the trailer when a 2015 Audi SUV driven by a Wales man rear-ended the U-Haul and then the GMC, according to Moss.
Isabel died at the scene, while Cibangu was taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland, where he succumbed to his critical injuries.
The four children, ages 7 to 14, suffered minor injuries and were also taken to Maine Medical Center.
The Audi’s driver was taken to Maine Medical Center, as well, where he was treated for minor injuries and released.
Cibangu and Isbael were only identified Tuesday morning after their next of kin were notified.
No charges have been filed against the Audi’s driver.
The crash remains under investigation.