THOMASTON (Nov. 3, 2022) — Crash reconstruction done after a pedestrian was struck by a car Wednesday evening has confirmed preliminary findings that the collision was due to a lack of lighting.

A reconstructionist from Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office determined that vehicle speed was not a factor in the death the pedestrian, James Read, aged between 87 and 90 years old, of Middleton, Connecticut.

“In fact, the speed was lower than what was posted,” said Thomaston Police Chief Tim Hoppe in a next day followup.

Read was in the area visiting a friend, and was a guest at the Hampton Inn when his return run across a non-crosswalk zone with poor lighting was cut short.

As is standard procedure, blood was drawn from the operator of the vehicle in order to test for chemical impairment. However, police determined at the time of the incident that the driver showed no apparent signs of inebriation, nor was the driver distracted in any way, according to Hoppe.

On Thursday afternoon, Nov. 3, the Maine State Police will bring their drone to the site and take aerial mappings for their own analysis. And, next week, a reconstruction professional will return with Thomaston Police to try to reconstruct the scene during the time frame that the initial 6 p.m. crash occurred. For next week’s analysis, Hoppe predicts that one lane of Route 1 might be closed to traffic for approximately 20 minutes during the reconstruction.

THOMASTON (Nov. 2) — A man has died after being hit by a car in Thomaston, Wednesday, Nov. 2. 

Reconstructionists from the Maine State Police have been called to Thomaston to assist Thomaston Police in investigating the incident, which occurred just prior to 6 p.m. on Route 1 in front of the Hampton Inn.

According to Police Chief Tim Hoppe, a man from out of state was at the ice cream shop across from the Inn. After being at the shop, the man is believed to have darted back across the road, and was struck and died within minutes due to the impact.

At this point, Hoppe believes that the only contributing factor to the crash may have been darkness, however, the road will remain closed for at least a few hours while the investigation continues. 

“Rockland and Thomaston tried chest compressions,” said Hoppe. “They did everything they could possibly do.”

Thomaston police are attempting to make notification to relatives prior to releasing the man’s name. 

Route 1 reopened to traffic just prior to 9 p.m.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com