(PORTLAND, Maine) January 30, 2023 – The first pedestrian fatality of the year occurred in Newburgh last Friday. A pedestrian was hit by a driver on Carmel Road North just after noon on Friday, January 27th.
“We are saddened by the tragic death of a person walking on a Maine road,” said Bicycle Coalition of Maine Executive Director Jean Sideris. “After the near record number of pedestrian fatalities in 2022, it is sad to see a fatality before the first month of 2023 is over. These events underscore the importance of drivers taking extra care to watch for people walking on the roads and for continued efforts to improve the safety of Maine roads for all users.”
Neither the victim nor the driver has been identified. The police are still investigating the crash. The BCM urges law enforcement to carefully examine the roadway conditions, pedestrian facilities, history of crashes at this location, driver behavior, phone use records, and any additional circumstances that may have been contributing factors.
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The Bicycle Coalition of Maine works to make Maine a better and safer place to bike and walk. Founded in 1992, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine has grown into the leading bicycle and pedestrian advocacy group in the state. The Coalition believes all Mainers should have access to bikes and bike education, and we envision a future where Maine’s roads, public ways, and trails are safe and accessible, resulting in cleaner travel options, improved health, and stronger economic benefits for Maine communities.