(Portland, ME) November 6, 2024 – A Maine man is dead after he was struck by a tractor-trailer in Farmington, according to police. Police said that on November 4, at about 10:30 AM, the driver of the tractor-trailer was traveling north on Main Street when he stopped for a pedestrian who was already in the crosswalk.
Police said there is no indication of an error on the driver’s part based on their review of traffic camera footage and statements they gathered from several witnesses. According to police, the driver began to proceed after he saw there were no other pedestrians in the crosswalk. At the same time, Leso approached from the passenger side of the tractor-trailer and skirted around the front of the truck, apparently out of the driver’s view.
Robert Leso, 82, of Chesterville, was identified as the victim of Monday morning’s crash near the U.S. post office at 196 Main St.
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. The BCM urges law enforcement to carefully examine the conditions, driver and pedestrian behavior, and any additional circumstances that may have been contributing factors.
“Unfortunately, there’s been an increase this year specifically in crosswalk conflicts, crashes, and near misses. BCM urges all road users to exercise caution, especially in what is expected to be a safe zone like a crosswalk” said Paul Drinan, Active Transportation Director for the Bicycle Coalition of Maine.
This is the eleventh pedestrian killed in Maine in this year and according to the State of Maine’s Maine Public Crash Query Tool, there have been 182 pedestrian crashes to date in 2024 in a variety of contexts.
The crash remains under investigation, but officials said they do not anticipate any charges being filed in connection with the crash. The Maine State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit responded to the crash scene because the tractor-trailer involved in the crash was a commercial vehicle.
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The Bicycle Coalition of Maine works to make Maine a better and safer place to bike, walk, and roll. 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.