(PORTLAND, Maine) Aug. 2, 2021 – Two pedestrians and one cyclist were struck and killed by drivers in separate incidents over a deadly weekend in Maine.
Mark Schepis, 45, and Luke Stephenson, 12, both of Waterboro, were hit by a driver as they waited outside the Cozi Corner Café in East Waterboro at approximately 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. The vehicle, driven by 64-year-old Waterboro resident Charles Stoddard, careened off of Sokokis Trail (Rt. 5) and into the victims, who were part of a crowd of people waiting in the restaurant’s parking lot.
Later that day in Farmington, bicyclist and Chesterville resident Christopher Krol, 55, was the victim of a crash with Richard Dow, 50, of Wilton, who was behind the wheel of a pickup truck traveling west on Farmington Falls Road.
“We are heartbroken to hear of these devastating crashes over the weekend,” said Bicycle Coalition of Maine (BCM) Executive Director Jean Sideris. “We ask drivers to pay careful attention and urge pedestrians to be especially vigilant around all vehicles—even in parking lots.”
According to the BCM, there have now been at least 10 pedestrians killed in crashes in 2021, including four in off-road incidents.
Although numerous cyclists have been injured across the state this year, Saturday marks the first bicyclist fatality of 2021.
“Even one death is too many,” Sideris said. “We urge drivers to slow down when approaching or passing people on bikes, or nearing an area where pedestrians are likely to be present, and remind cyclists to ride with caution on public roadways, be predictable, and always wear a helmet.”
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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.