FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 14, 2026
Media Contact:
Andrew Zarro
Andrew@bikemaine.org
207-623-4511
BCM calls for immediate safety review following crash that killed a 13-year-old and seriously injured two other teenagers
PORTLAND, Maine — The Bicycle Coalition of Maine is heartbroken by the crash on Warren Avenue in Portland Saturday night that killed a 13-year-old boy and seriously injured two other teenagers.
Our deepest condolences are with the family and loved ones of the young person who was killed. We are also thinking of the two young people who were injured, their families and friends, the Portland school community, and everyone who witnessed or responded to this tragedy.
The investigation into this crash is ongoing, and it is important not to assign blame before all of the facts are known. But one fact is already painfully clear: a child did not make it home, and two other children were seriously hurt while moving through their community.
Traffic deaths and serious injuries are not inevitable. Children should be able to walk through their neighborhoods without risking their lives.
“This is an unimaginable loss for a family and a community,” said Andrew Zarro, Executive Director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. “Our first responsibility is to hold space for those who are grieving. Our next responsibility is to make sure we learn everything we can from this crash and act so that another family does not have to experience this.”
“Our hearts are broken for these young people from our community and their friends and families,” said Zoe Miller, Executive Director of Moving Maine network. “Walking is an essential way to get around and shouldn’t be a deadly activity. We owe it to the child who was killed and the friends who were hurt and traumatized to tell a complete story. Maine has built roads that are dangerous for people and our policies encourage driving too fast. We can rebuild them if we want to. Our children are worth it.”
BCM is calling for an immediate safety review of Warren Avenue and the area surrounding the I-95 overpass, including vehicle speeds, lighting, pedestrian crossings and walking space, sightlines, and roadway design. That review should include the City of Portland, MaineDOT, community members, and transportation safety experts, and it should result in near-term safety improvements wherever risks are identified.
Portland has committed to Vision Zero—the principle that no loss of life on our streets is acceptable. Fulfilling that commitment requires urgent action after fatal and serious crashes, as well as proactive investment in streets designed to protect people when mistakes happen.
Every child deserves to get home safely. Every family deserves streets designed with their lives in mind.
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine stands ready to work with Portland, state agencies, schools, and community members to help make that a reality.
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