Augusta Police Chief Robert Gregoire, who was seriously injured in a September motorcycle accident, suffered serious spinal cord injuries that may require him to use a wheelchair for the rest of his life, according to a Facebook post on the Augusta Police Department’s page.
The Red Barn, a local restaurant, is hosting a fundraiser from Nov. 24 from 4 to 6 p.m. to raise money to help modify a home for Gregoire so that it will accommodate a wheelchair, according to the post on the department’s social networking page.
Additional Images
“Although Chief Gregoire is recovering, he is confined to the use of a wheelchair and due to the injuries he sustained, it is unknown if he will be able to walk again,” according to the post from Red Barn owner Laura Benedict that was shared on the police department’s page.
Gregoire, 49, and his wife Cathy were on a charity motorcycle ride with Augusta Police Sgt. Christopher Shaw on Sept. 6 when they were injured in an accident in Jay. Cathy Gregoire, 47, was a passenger on her husband’s motorcycle when it hit a soft shoulder on Crash Road and threw both to the ground. Shaw, following the couple, toppled his motorcycle while trying to avoid the crash in front of him.
All three were taken to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. Shaw, 45, and Cathy Gregoire were both released within a couple days of the crash, but Robert Gregoire was listed in critical condition.
In October, city officials confirmed that Gregoire was recovering at a Boston rehabilitation hospital, but they declined to provide details of the chief’s recovery or condition, citing the family’s request for privacy. A police report prepared at the time of the crash said he suffered a neck injury.
The Facebook post indicates that Gregoire is currently in a rehabilitation center and that he “will be coming home soon.” It says that the Gregoires’ two-story home cannot be renovated to accommodate his needs, but that someone has allowed him to use their home, which needs special equipment.
The fundraiser, which asks for a $6 donation, is designed to pay for the costs of installing that equipment, according to the post.
Augusta Police Deputy Chief Jared Mills and City Manager William Bridgeo did not return phone calls seeking comment Friday afternoon.
The Red Barn, located at 455 Riverside Drive, often hosts fundraisers for community groups. The Facebook post indicates that 1,300 people were invited, with 159 already confirming attendance within two hours of the event being shared on Facebook.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.