Turner death follows previous fatalities in Old Town and Hancock
February 1, 2019 (TURNER, Maine) – The third Maine pedestrian death of 2019 occurred yesterday in Turner, just one week after the second.
Catherine Gauthier, 36, was struck by a pickup truck on Route 4 near Lower Street just before 9p.m. on Thursday. Police say the driver, Roger Keene, 48, is cooperating, and they do not believe alcohol or speed were involved. There are no other details available at this time.
“We are growing increasingly concerned about the number of fatalities so early in 2019,” said Bicycle Coalition of Maine Executive Director John Williams.
As the state’s leading group promoting bicycling and walking safety, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine routinely monitors crash reports for incidents that involve bicyclists and pedestrians, and advocates for improved transportation infrastructure and policies to make Maine better for bicycling and walking.
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine will continue to track this case to determine what, if any, infrastructure changes could be made to prevent this type of tragedy from occurring again.
The three fatal crashes in Maine so far this year highlight the need for all motorists to stay alert and aware, obey speed limits, and never drive distracted or under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. As a reminder, pedestrians and other vulnerable users can be present on Maine’s roadways in all conditions and times of day. Additionally, pedestrians and cyclists should use extra care to be visible, especially when walking or biking after dark, and to follow best practices and the law for roadway safety.
The first pedestrian fatality occurred in Hancock on Jan. 9 when Terry Bragdon, 67, of Lamoine, was struck by a pickup truck on Mud Creek Road about a mile from the Route 1 intersection.
The second fatality occurred two weeks later on Jan. 24 in Old Town, when 24-year-old UMaine student Dylan Cooper was hit by a truck with a plow on Stillwater Avenue near Bennoch Road.