(Lewiston, ME) March 31, 2025 – Jessica Sawyer, a 44-year-old Auburn resident, was killed early Monday morning after being struck by a pickup truck while crossing Main Street in Lewiston. This fatal crash is a heartbreaking reminder of the vulnerability pedestrians face every day on Maine’s roads and the pressing need for communities to treat these incidents with urgency.
The crash occurred around 4:30 a.m. near 391 Main Street. According to the Lewiston Police Department, Sawyer was crossing the street when she was hit by a northbound Toyota Tacoma driven by a 31-year-old Auburn man. She was transported to Central Maine Medical Center, where she later died from her injuries. Police noted that weather and road conditions may have been contributing factors, and the crash remains under investigation.
This tragic loss is devastating for Jessica Sawyer’s family and the entire Lewiston-Auburn community. It is yet another example of how urgently we need to address the growing crisis of pedestrian safety in Maine.
“The loss of Jessica Sawyer is a profound tragedy that demands action,” said Andrew Zarro, Executive Director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. “We cannot accept a status quo where people are dying while doing something as simple and necessary as walking across the street. We need our streets to be designed for safety, not speed.”
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine is calling on city and state leaders to respond with immediate measures to improve safety for pedestrians. This includes safer street designs that reduce vehicle speeds and increase visibility, more consistent and comprehensive data collection, and a public commitment to the principles of Vision Zero.
Vision Zero is an evidence-based approach to transportation planning that seeks to eliminate all traffic-related deaths and serious injuries. The recent string of fatal crashes shows that these are not isolated events but symptoms of a transportation system that too often prioritizes cars over people.
“Every pedestrian death is preventable,” added Zarro. “We need coordinated leadership at every level to implement strategies that protect all road users. The lives of our neighbors depend on it.”
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine continues to stand with victims and their families and remains committed to working with local communities to ensure that everyone in Maine can move through their neighborhoods safely and with dignity.
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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.