(PORTLAND, Maine) May 10, 2022 – An 25-year-old Presque Isle resident was struck and killed by the driver of an SUV on Friday evening.
Carter Sowers was walking along South Main Street in Presque Isle when Shizuko Hood, 72, hit him with his 2016 Lincoln MKX around 5 p.m. Police say Hood’s vehicle left the road before striking Sowers.
“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family and friends,” said Bicycle Coalition of Maine Executive Director Jean Sideris.
The BCM urges law enforcement to carefully investigate and examine the roadway conditions, pedestrian facilities, history of crashes at this location, driver behavior, and any additional circumstances that may have been contributing factors.
No additional details have been released at this time. Police say the crash remains under investigation.
“We are especially concerned given the recent increase in both pedestrian injuries and fatalities on our roadways, as well as crashes involving cyclists,” Sideris added.
The Coalition says this is already the fifth pedestrian death of 2022, following a record-high 20 deaths in 2021. One cyclist has been killed in 2022 to-date.
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The Bicycle Coalition of Maine is the statewide voice of cyclists and pedestrians. Since 1992, the BCM has led the effort to make Maine better for bicycling and walking by protecting the rights and safety of cyclists and pedestrians through education, advocacy, legislation, and encouragement. We support biking and walking for health, transportation, and recreation. For more information, visit bikemaine.org.