Story by Jim Keithley
2 min read
This video captured by a Maine man’s cellphone while it was mounted to his bicycle shows he was nearly struck by a U-Haul truck in Westbrook in early May 2026.
A Maine man who is an avid cyclist captured video of a close call he had with a U-Haul truck.
Norm Boutin, of Standish, said the near miss happened in Westbrook a few weeks ago. The video, which was captured by Boutin’s cellphone while it was mounted to his bike, shows the U-Haul truck was stopped in traffic in the left travel lane. As Boutin approached on his bicycle in the right travel lane, the U-Haul began to turn into his lane. Boutin rode up onto the sidewalk to avoid a collision.
“I’ve got almost 1,200 miles on bikes this year. I love being on the bike. It’s the best part of my day going to and from work, but I am concerned, so my head is on a swivel at all times,” Boutin said.
On Wednesday, Cumberland County District Attorney Jackie Sartoris vowed to bring criminal and/or civil charges against drivers who cause crashes that injure pedestrians and bicyclists.
“Just because someone doesn’t see the bicyclist or pedestrian doesn’t mean they are not at fault and they are not supposed to be held accountable under the law. What’s happening right now is all too often, unless there is an actual criminal violation – I’m on my phone or I’m behaving recklessly – nothing happens. That’s what we are really trying to change here,” Sartoris said.
Sartoris said she has asked police who are already investigating these crashes to upload crash reports and send them to her office. She wants a full report, including witness statements, so she can hold people accountable.
Andrew Zarro, the executive director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, said these types of crashes deserve serious consideration.
“Evidence should be preserved. Reports should be reviewed and where the facts support it, there should be consequences. People walking, biking (and) rolling have rights,” Zarro said.
In 2025, five pedestrians were killed and 30 others were injured in the city of Portland. Joe Lewis, a 61-year-old lawyer, died after he was struck by an SUV in the Old Port while walking back to his office in January 2025. Diane Bell, 75, was running when she was fatally struck by a car at the intersection of Franklin Street and Marginal Way in November 2025. A month later, a 25-year-old man was fatally struck by a vehicle while he was in a marked crosswalk on Riverside Street.
Sartoris said the penalties for civil violations would include a fine of up to $5,000 and the loss of driver’s license for up to four years. The district attorney said there will be no change without accountability.