A young bicyclist who was hit by a box truck on Union Road in Waldoboro on Friday, Aug. 1 has died of his injuries, Waldoboro Police Chief Bill Labombarde said.
Tyler Wood, 15, of Rockport, had sustained “serious head injuries” in the collision, according to a Waldoboro Police Department press release.
Wood and Antonio Seccareccio, 14, of Waldoboro, were stopped on their bicycles in the southbound lane, talking to two pedestrians at the time of the accident, according to the press release.
Joseph E. Benedix, 24, of Waldoboro, was driving a 2001 Mitsubishi box truck southbound and told police he did not see the boys in the road until he was almost upon them, according to the press release. Benedix tried to swerve out around them, but struck Wood’s bike, which was closest to the center line.
Wood was thrown from the bike and landed on the road’s shoulder, and his bike was believed to have been thrown into Seccareccio, according to the press release. Neither boy was wearing a helmet.
The Waldoboro Police Department continues to investigate the accident with assistance from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and the Maine State Police, Labombarde said.
The sheriff’s office is reconstructing the accident. Maine State Police will inspect the truck.
“We’re still collecting statements and we’re waiting for the results of the reconstruction, which could take quite a bit of time,” Labombarde said. “It’s been my experience that they take several weeks to complete.”
As soon as the department has the reconstruction and the report on the truck, “we’ll put everything together and present it to the district attorney,” Labombarde said.
“I don’t rule anything out until we have all of our information,” Labombarde said. “At this particular point, no charges have been filed, but this is an ongoing investigation and we’re far away from being closed on this at this point.”
Waldoboro police, fire, and emergency medical services responded to the accident, in the area of 603 Union Road (Route 235), at approximately 8:20 p.m.
Wood was taken by LifeFlight helicopter to Lewiston, and Seccareccio was transported for a leg injury to the Miles campus of LincolnHealth in Damariscotta, then transferred to Maine Medical Center in Portland, according to the press release.
Responders were on scene until after midnight, Labombarde said.
Neither pedestrian was injured, according to the press release.
