RUMFORD — Aggressive driving and driver inattention were cited as factors in last fall’s motorcycle accident on Route 2 that killed a Quebec man.
The police report was released Wednesday morning by Chief Stacy Carter, a day after he notified the deceased’s family in Quebec.
At 8:39 p.m. Oct. 26, 2012, a 2006 Harley-Davidson Road King operated by Francois Goyette, 40, of Stoke, Quebec, attempted to pass a 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche driven by Shane Child, 39, of Mexico.
Both vehicles were traveling west when Child slowed to turn left into McDonald’s restaurant and Goyette decided to pass Child’s pickup truck at the same time, Carter said, reading officer Brad Gallant’s report.
Oxford County Deputy Sheriff Cpl. Justin Brown reconstructed the accident and Rumford Capt. Daniel Garbarini and Cpl. Lawrence Winson assisted in the five-month investigation.
Carter said Goyette was traveling between nearly 55 mph to 57 mph in the 45 mph passing zone when his bike hit the side of Child’s truck. He said that as far as investigators knew, Child’s left directional light was on and Child didn’t see the cyclist attempting to pass on the left.
Goyette stayed on the bike, which deflected toward the south, struck the curb, flipped end over end and went down an embankment and through a small wooded area. It landed on the Countryside Animal Hospital’s front lawn.
The motorcycle had to be lifted off Goyette, who was taken by Med-Care Ambulance to Rumford Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 9:22 p.m. at the hospital, Carter said.
“The investigation disclosed several factors that may have contributed to the crash, including but not limited to speed, driver inattention … and-or aggressive driving,” Carter said.
Speed and failing to yield are considered aggressive driving.
He said the designated passing zone at McDonald’s could be another factor in the crash, an issue that Rumford Selectman Brad Adley raised for possible change at a board meeting in November.
Town Manager Carlo Puiia said Wednesday evening that he submitted a request to the Maine Department of Transportation for a review and change of the area where the motorcycle accident occurred.
“I have not yet received a response, but will follow up tomorrow,” Puiia said. “I anticipate a change, as I requested a no-passing zone in that area.”
Carter attributed the accident’s cause to Goyette and said there would be no prosecution.
“The DA reviewed the case and indicated there would be no prosecution. The report does not indicate there was any fault by the other driver,” he said.
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