A suspected road rage incident Friday on the Maine Turnpike in South Portland escalated after one person brandished a firearm, police say.

Lt. Erik Baker of the Maine State Police said two adults and two juveniles were detained but no one had been charged.

“It’s going to take some time to sort out, especially because we’re dealing with minors,” he said.

The incident happened around 3 p.m. in the southbound lane of the turnpike near the Maine Mall. Baker said two vehicles were involved.

Witnesses said they saw several police cruisers, an ambulance and a firetruck at one point near where one of the cars was pulled over. One witness told the Press Herald that two people could be seen in handcuffs outside a vehicle.

Traffic was backed up considerably in the southbound lanes and north as well.

Baker said police believe “some alcohol may have been involved.”

Eric Russell can be contacted at 791-6344 or at:

erussell@pressherald.com

Twitter: PPHEricRussell

Police investigate a possible road rage incident on the Maine Turnpike in South Portland on Friday. (Chad Gilley/Portland Press Herald)