UPDATE: Woman killed on John Street in Camden after being struck by minivan
The location on John Street where a woman was killed soon after 8 a.m. Dec. 4 in Camden was near the apartment complex of Merry Gardens Estate where the woman has been a resident. (Photo courtesy Camden Fire Department)
The location on John Street where a woman was killed soon after 8 a.m. Dec. 4 in Camden was near the apartment complex of Merry Gardens Estate where the woman has been a resident. (Photo courtesy Camden Fire Department)
CAMDEN — At 8:19 a.m., Dec.4, the Camden Police Department was dispatched to a pedestrian vs car accident on John Street. Michelle Bishop, 62, of Camden, was operating her motorized wheelchair along the eastbound lane of the road when she was struck by a minivan operated by Robert Spencer, 82, of Camden, according to a Dec. 5 news release from the Camden PD.
"Bishop was subsequently thrown from the wheelchair and killed," the release said. "Life saving measures were conducted at the scene for 45 minutes, however, Bishop succumbed to her injuries at the scene."
Spencer’s vision was obscured by the sun and he did not see Bishop in his lane of travel, said Camden Police Lt. Michael Geary,.
The Knox County District Attorney’s office, Maine State Police accident reconstruction team, North East Mobile Health and Camden Fire Department all responded to the scene to assist, and the investigation continues as of Dec. 5.
A woman was killed at 8:19 a.m. Wednesday morning, Dec. 4, on John Street in Camden as she was riding her motorized wheelchair along the eastbound side of the road.
The woman, a resident of Merry Garden Estates, frequently travels John Street to and from Hannaford.
She was killed when the driver of a minivan who was heading east toward the intersection of Route 1 hit her with the passenger side of the vehicle, according to Camden Fire Chief Chris Farley.
Maine State Police and Camden Police are currently at the scene investigating and reconstructing the crash.
Camden Fire and Rescue and North East Mobile Heath Services crews attempted life-saving care for 40 minutes, but the woman died at the scene, said Farley.
"Every attempt was made to save her," said Camden PoliceLieutenant Michael Geary.
A second ambulance was called to assist the driver of the van, but he refused treatment, said Farley.
The Maine Dept. of Transportation has scheduled safety improvements along John Street with construction eyed for Summer 2025.
The pending improvements are categorized as Bicycle/Pedestrian On-Road Sidewalk/Trail and are to begin at Route 1 and extend northwest 0.67 of a mile to the intersection of Simonton Road.
This story will be updated when more details become available.
Reach Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657
