Former teacher struck by car in parking lot
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — An elderly man remains hospitalized at Eastern Maine Medical Center after being struck by a car as he walked to his own vehicle in the Graves Shop ‘N Save parking late Friday afternoon.
According to the Presque Isle Police Department log, the accident was reported around 4:25 p.m. on Oct. 3, 2014.
Officer Kyle White, of the PIPD, responded to investigate.
Upon arrival, White found Don Martin, of Portage (formerly of Fort Fairfield), had been struck by a station wagon. Police are not releasing the name of the driver.
Martin, who sustained broken bones, was transported by Crown Ambulance to The Aroostook Medical Center and later transported to Eastern Maine Medical Center.
His nephew, Charlie Cormier, of Fort Fairfield, went to visit his uncle over the weekend, noting in a Facebook message on Saturday that his “Uncle Duke” — a former Presque Isle civics teacher — had suffered a “broken tibia and a fractured skull” and was being kept in a medically-induced coma.
On Monday afternoon Cormier offered friends and family an update on his uncle’s condition, stating “Duke is off the respirator and breathing on his own.”
“More good news! Duke’s eyes are now open. He’s moving his hands and head,” added Cormier. He said the family had been told by the doctors treating Martin that the damage to the brain “is in the behavioral area.”
Cormier said his uncle-in-law was scheduled for an operation on his leg on Monday.
“He was leaving the store after visiting the pharmacy. Duke was wearing a fluorescent vest when he was struck,” said Cormier.
Another nephew, Jason Grass, also of Fort Fairfield, said Martin was an active senior citizen.
“Uncle Duke is about 87 years old. He walks three miles a day,” said Grass.
Grass said the family is concerned about Martin, given his age and the extent of the injuries.
“He’s not doing well. We can’t get any information for filing an insurance claim or take other action. The police aren’t releasing anything,” said Grass.
“He’s still listed as quite critical and began having seizures today,” said Cormier in a phone interview, regarding Martin’s condition.
A copy of the police log entry for the accident is heavily redacted and attempts to determine the identity of the driver of the vehicle were unsuccessful at presstime.
Assisting White at the scene were Officer Chris Hayes and Sgt. Mark Barnes, both of the PIPD, a crew from the Presque Isle Fire Department and Jerry’s Towing Service, which was called to remove the vehicle.
