Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Police are investigating an accident involving two pedestrians being struck by a car as they crossed a street in the heart of town Friday night.
“On Aug. 28 at approximately 8:30 p.m. the Presque Isle Police Department received a report of a motor vehicle accident involving a pedestrian on the end of Academy St. near the Main St. intersection,” said Sgt. Joey Seeley, investigating officer, PIPD. According to Seeley, Michele Cormier, 34, of Mapleton, was traveling west on Academy and had stopped at the red light prior to the crosswalk. Shelia Coffin, 62, and Ronald Coffin, 75, both from Tierra Verde, Fla., were walking south across the crosswalk in front of Cormier.
“Cormier took her eyes off the roadway and removed her foot from the brake and, as she did so, the vehicle started to roll forward,” said Seeley. “As Cormier looked up, her vehicle struck both pedestrians.”
Sheila Coffin was reportedly knocked to the ground and suffered a head injury, abrasions to her left hand and complained of left arm pain. Ronald Coffin had abrasions to his left knee and abrasions to his left hand, said Seeley.
“Crown Ambulance transported Sheila to The Aroostook Medical Center where she underwent treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. Ronald was not treated for his injuries,” said Seeley.
Cormier, who was wearing her seatbelt, was not injured and her vehicle, a 2009 GMC four-door SUV, sustained no damage as a result of the incident.
Seeley was assisted at the scene by Officers Lyn Hartley, Kevin Schumacher and Ross McQuade, all of the PIPD; Blake Hatt, an off-duty officer with the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department; and members of the Presque Isle Fire Department.
“Drugs and alcohol were not a factor and there are no pending charges,” said Seeley.
This marks the second time in as many weeks that a pedestrian has been struck while attempting to cross the street by a vehicle in the Star City. An accident two weeks ago sent an off-duty police officer, Chris Hayes, to Eastern Maine Medical Center for treatment of several broken bones he sustained when he was struck by a van as he attempted to cross North St. Hayes has since undergone several surgeries to repair the damage and is reported to be in good spirits. He is scheduled to undergo physical therapy and is expected to be unable to work for several months.
Police are advising motorists to use caution when driving and watch for pedestrians and ask pedestrians to use designated crosswalks whenever possible.
