(Portland, ME) March 3, 2025 – A 57-year-old Portland man, Bradley Brookings, was killed Sunday night after being struck by two vehicles on Forest Avenue near Walton Street. This marks the fourth pedestrian fatality in Portland in just five months, a crisis that demands immediate action from city officials to prevent further loss of life.
According to police, Brookings was in the roadway around 9:15 p.m. when he was struck by a vehicle driven by a 22-year-old South Portland woman. As she attempted to assist him, a second vehicle, driven by a 62-year-old Portland man, also struck him. He was transported to Maine Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries. No charges have been filed, and the investigation is ongoing.
“This tragedy is heartbreaking for the victim’s family, the drivers involved, and the entire Portland community, which continues to suffer the devastating impacts of pedestrian deaths,” said Andrew Zarro, Executive Director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine.
“The recent spate of pedestrian fatalities in Portland is alarming and unacceptable,” said Zarro. “The city must act swiftly to implement comprehensive safety measures to protect all road users.”
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine urges the City of Portland to take immediate, decisive action to prevent further tragedies. The city must prioritize Vision Zero, a strategy to eliminate all traffic deaths and serious injuries, by committing to infrastructure changes, stronger enforcement, and public education. Areas like Forest Avenue, where multiple lanes and high speeds endanger pedestrians, require urgent redesigns to ensure safer crossings and improved visibility. Without immediate changes, Portland’s streets will remain deadly for pedestrians and cyclists alike.
The continued loss of life underscores a fundamental failure in street design and enforcement. Portland cannot afford to wait any longer. The Bicycle Coalition of Maine is committed to working with city officials, community leaders, and residents to ensure every Portlander can walk, bike, and roll safely in their own city.
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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.