(Portland, ME) April 2, 2024 – Heather Corey, of Palmyra, was killed by a driver of a Dodge minivan when she was crossing Route 2 at 7:30pm. The incident occurred near the Walmart Supercenter on a busy stretch of Route 2 with no crosswalks.
“We send our deepest condolences to the victim’s loved ones,” said Bicycle Coalition of Maine (BCM) Executive Director Jean Sideris.
The crash is under investigation. The BCM urges law enforcement to carefully examine the conditions, driver and pedestrian behavior, and any additional circumstances that may have been contributing factors.
Chief Deputy Mike Mitchell of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office’s comment that “It is a busy stretch of highway where pedestrians do not typically walk” appears to suggest that it may not have been appropriate for the victim to be on the road at the time of the crash. But it is likely that there are more pedestrians present in this area than the Chief Deputy recognizes. The section of Route 2 where the crash occurred is posted at 35mph, and is a strip with numerous businesses on it that one could reasonably anticipate would generate some pedestrian use, including a Walmart, Hannaford, Walgreens, and several restaurants. There are no crosswalks in the area and only a short walkway in front of Walmart. It is legal to cross a road without a crosswalk when none is present. This incident suggests that upgrades to pedestrian infrastructure may be needed on this stretch of road.
This is the second pedestrian fatality this year and it follows a March with no pedestrian or bicycle fatalities. While this indicates a downward trend a few months into the year, we cannot simply hope our way to a continued downward trend. We need to make long-term investments in road design and bike/ped infrastructure and we need all drivers to slow down, pay attention, and never drive distracted or impaired.
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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.