ASHLAND, Maine – A local man was killed early Saturday morning when he was struck by an automobile as he walked home.
Ashland Police Chief Cyr Martin said a 9-1-1 call came in around 2:15 a.m. on Feb. 17 reporting a body in the roadway and a car off the Frenchville Road. Officer Matt Cummings, of the Ashland Police Department, responded to the scene.
“When Matt arrived on the scene, he saw the body on one side of the road and a vehicle off the opposite side about 75 feet down the road. The person who made the call was still at the site and reported seeing a female in the area as well,” said Martin.
The body was later identified as George W. Tozier, Sr., 47, of Ashland.
At first, officials thought it was a vehicular accident in which Tozier had been ejected. But upon closer investigation, it was determined the only damage was to the vehicle’s front end and appeared to involve the victim.
“We thought at first the man had been ejected but upon investigation it was determined Tozier had been struck by the front end of the vehicle at the scene. At that point, we started looking for the woman the witness reported seeing earlier,” said Martin.
Police received a call a short time later reporting a nearby home had been broken into.
“We went to the home, located just up the road from the accident site, and found a woman hiding under covers on the couch,” said Martin. “She was identified as Nancy Lauren McKay, 41, of Ashland.”
McKay reportedly gained entry to the home by breaking a window.
Martin said McKay, who is known by several aliases, was questioned when found.
“We asked her why she was in the home and she indicated she thought she was in her own home. She appeared to have no clue how she got there or about the accident involving Tozier,” said Martin.
Reconstruction of the accident determined Tozier had been struck from behind.
“He was hit from behind and landed on top of the car. His death was caused by injuries sustained in the impact,” said Martin.
Martin said the couple had lived in the area for a couple years. The pair were seen together earlier in the evening at a local night spot.
“Tozier and McKay were reportedly planning to get married. They had been at Freme’s earlier that evening. We’re not sure if they had a disagreement, but Tozier apparently decided to walk home. McKay didn’t leave right away and went back inside, then left a short time after. Tozier was headed home – about five miles out of town – on the Frenchville Road when he was struck by a vehicle. When we found McKay, she was taken back to the station for questioning,” said Martin.
Back at the station, McKay was arrested for aggravated criminal OUI and transported to the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton. She was scheduled to be arraigned in Houlton on Feb. 20. Martin said more charges may follow once investigation of the accident is completed.
“Our department is working with the Criminal Investigation Division of the Maine State Police to investigate the accident. Once that’s complete, McKay may face more charges,” said Martin.
If you have information about the accident, contact the Ashland PD at 435-6626.
Calling hours for the victim are scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at the Emmons Funeral Home, 1115 S. Main Street, Bristol, N.H. The funeral is planned for 10 a.m. on Friday at the Bristol Baptist Church, with spring interment in the Stockholm Cemetery, located in Stockholm.
