LIVERMORE FALLS — A pedestrian who ran into the side of a Livermore Falls police cruiser Friday night died Monday afternoon, police said.
Joseph Slaver, 24, of Livermore Falls was injured when he ran into the roadway in the 500 block of Park Street and struck the side of the cruiser, according to a news release from the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office. He was taken by ambulance to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston.
Slaver died a little after 4 p.m. Monday from his injuries, according to police.
Police officer Troy Reed was driving the cruiser at the time of the accident. He was placed on administrative crisis leave with pay for Saturday and Sunday, Livermore Falls Police Chief Ernest Steward Jr. said Monday.
Several interviews were conducted by sheriff’s deputies over the weekend, Chief Deputy William Gagne said Monday in a news release. Park Street in the area of the crash was dark with few or no streetlights, and Slaver was dressed in dark clothing, Gagne said.
Slaver was on the opposite side of the street from a gathering he had attended, according to the release. Investigators were still trying to determine why Slaver had left the gathering.
The front passenger fender, A-pillar and passenger mirror area of the cruiser were damaged.
An accident reconstructionist from the Lewiston Police Department worked with the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office to reconstruct the 11:55 p.m. accident.
As with all cases of a motor vehicle fatality, the District Attorney’s Office and Chief Medical Examiner have been advised and are involved with the ongoing investigation, Gagne said.
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