(Portland, ME) February 28, 2024 – A pedestrian was killed in the Bisson’s Center Store parking lot Tuesday morning when a pick-up driver backed out of a parking spot and hit the person. Neither the victim nor the driver’s names have been released.
“We send our deepest condolences to the victim’s loved ones,” said Bicycle Coalition of Maine (BCM) Executive Director Jean Sideris. “It is a tragic day when a person isn’t safe walking through a parking lot.”
Little information about the incident has been released, though reports indicate the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office Reconstruction Team responded to the scene. The BCM urges law enforcement to carefully examine the conditions, driver and pedestrian behavior, and any additional circumstances that may have been contributing factors.
The BCM encourages all drivers to slow down and look for people biking or walking, especially where pedestrians and cyclists may be present. With the size of vehicles trending larger, we remind drivers to take extra care in checking the spaces around them to ensure they are clear of pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicles.
This is the first pedestrian killed in Maine this year; 23 crashes have been recorded by the MaineDOT. No bicyclists have been killed and 10 crashes have been recorded.
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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.