AUGUSTA — A 24-year-old New Hampshire man walking early Wednesday morning on Route 3 died after he was struck by a van headed east, police said.

The man, James Demeritt, of Rochester, was wearing dark clothing and walking down the middle of the road at the time of the crash, said Lt. Chris Read, of the Augusta Police Department.

The driver of the 2006 van, Scott Glidden, 55, of Palermo, was unable to see Demeritt and police do not expect to file charges against him, Read said.

“(Glidden) was unable to see the pedestrian and take evasive action,” Read said. “It does not appear that charges will be likely.”

The fatal crash occurred around 12:15 a.m. Wednesday just west of the intersection of Bolton Hill and Cross Hill roads, in the northeast corner of Augusta, close to Windsor, China and Vassalboro.

Demeritt was pronounced dead at the scene by Augusta rescue workers, Read said.

Advertisement

Police do not know why Demeritt was in the roadway just after midnight, but Read said the man was on his way to meet someone at the time of the crash.

Several people witnessed the crash, Read said, including the driver of a car behind the van operated by Glidden. That driver reported the accident to police.

Officers from Augusta and the Maine State Police continued to investigate the circumstances of the crash throughout Wednesday. Investigators still have not determined the speed at which Glidden was traveling, Read said.

Read did not know if Demeritt was staying in Maine or visiting the state.

Charles Eichacker — 621-5642

ceichacker@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @ceichacker

 


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.