OXFORD — An Auburn motorcyclist died Monday of injuries suffered when he ditched his bike at the entrance to Oxford Plains Speedway last month to avoid a collision.
Richard A. Lothrop, 58, of 6 Russell Ave. had been a patient at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston following the crash on the evening of Aug. 26.
He was driving his 1996 Royal Star Yamaha south on Route 26 when a truck hauling a stock car pulled out of the racetrack to head in the same direction and the driver didn't see Lothrop, Oxford County Deputy Sheriff Josh Wyman said. Lothrop ditched his motorcycle to avoid hitting the truck and trailer, the investigator said. Lothrop was not wearing a helmet.
The driver of the truck, 17-year-old Kristen Brown of Poland, was not hurt, police said.
No charges had been brought as of last week, Wyman said. The accident
report will be turned over to the district attorney for review. Wyman
said there was no indication that speed or alcohol were
involved in the crash.
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If she had done everything
If she had done everything she was supposed to do when pulling out into traffic, Mr. Lorthrup would not be dead now. Yup..poor girl has to live with this the rest of her life. Mr. Lorthrups family has to live "without" him for the rest of their lives.
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I absolutely LOVE how miserable some of you seem to be. I have noticed alot of you comment on various articles, which is your right. But seriously do you always have to put blame on someone?? Some say it is her fault others say it is his, maybe it's neither or better yet maybe it's both of theirs. Yes maybe she should have taken one more look before exiting, and yes he should have been wearing a helmet. Why should she be charged for something she didn't do wrong? I think living with this for the rest of her life is going to be punishment enough!! Perhaps certain people seem to think because she is part of today's youth that everything she does is wrong and irresponsible, but she did everything she was suppose to when she pulled out, and yes he had the right of way. Either way it's an accident. I'm sorry for both families, neither of their lives will ever be the same.
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MeinMaine..you are saying that you are APPALLED at some of our reactions...well let me say yours sounds pretty heartless. This "accident" had nothing to do with Mr. Lorthrup not wearing a helmet nor seeing the truck in time to react. Mr. Lorthrup was already on the highway, he was not at fault in any way. And because things are so hectic at the speedway, one takes extra precaution to make sure it's safe to pull out. Someone's life was lost for goodness sakes.....and you want us to feel sorry for the poor little 17 year old girl that "didn't see him"? A man is dead for goodness sakes. When you get your drivers license, you take on a HUGE responsibility. You not only take on responsibility of your life on the road, but EVERYONE elses. No, this was not intentional...but that's what the word "manslaughter" stands for. That 17 yr old took on a responsibility when she got behind the wheel, just like you or I do when we get in our car to drive. If I pull out of my driveway and hit a car, you are damn tootin it's going to be "my fault". The cops not gonna buy my saying "oops...didn't see him coming". A man died as a result of this "accident".......too bad if this poor 17 yr old has to live with it. As I said, at least she gets to live......
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I agree with you AND... this 17 year old girl has more driving experience under her belt because she IS a driver at Oxford Plains Speedway! She is NOT new to driving a truck...
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Motor Vehicle law says you are to be in control of your vehicle at all times. Kristen Brown was not in control of the vehicle she was driving if she pulled out on to Rt26 hauling a stock car with traffic coming. She caused Richard A. Lothrop to ditch his bike in order to avoid crashing in to her. She is 100% at fault for this accident, yes it is an accident but she is clearly at fault. I hope they take away her driver's license and they do not allow her to drive at Oxford Plains Speedway for many years. Why should she have the enjoyment of such fun when Richard A. Lothrop lost his life because of her?
My sincerest condolences go out to the family and friends of Mr. Lothrop. I feel very sad this situation happened and I hope some one learns from this.
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I am APPALLED at the venom being spewed here. This was a tragic accident, PERIOD. Obviously those of you who are raging at this poor young girl have never been to the speedway when there are a lot of people leaving there. Its IMPOSSIBLE to see everything at once. She did not see him and pulled out, he chose not to wear a helmet and did not see her in time to react differently than he did. All accidental. It was his time, thats it. My sympathies to his family, I know its hard to lose a loved one. My sympathy to the girl as well, she has lost a big part of her life too.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Yes, I have heard of the
Yes, I have heard of the word "Accident". I myself have been involved in one when a woman pulled from a stop sign claiming she didn't see me and I was in a bigger vehicle then she! I do not care how old this driver was that was pulling from the speedway. If she's old enough to have her license, then she should be old enough to handle ALL responsibilities that come with it. No, she didn't get up that day with the intentions of causing an accident that day,let alone taking a life, but when you are behind the wheel, you have alot of responsibilities. You watch for EVERYTHING, from vehicles,to pedestrians, kids on bikes to MOTORCYCLES. I'm a biker, and this man and the size of his bike would have been enough to be seen if she was paying enough attention. Yes, I feel sorry for the girl too, BUT, what about Mr. Lorthrup, he died, and he has a family that is now suffering a horrible loss. This girl needs to pay the consequences like anyone else. She may have to live with this the rest of her life, but at least she lives. Mr. Lorthrup no longer does.
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Candiceanne,blue eyes and tron have none of the 3 of you ever heard of the word ACCIDENT!!!!!!!!!!! The girl did not intentionally try to kill this man and there is no telling if he had just pulled out of a parking lot himself or what. She is young and knowing that her driving led to someone dieing im sure has affected her dearly. Lets not compound the suffering and pain here but pressing charges on her. They call it an accident for a reason.
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Clearly it was failure to yield. After all the guy on the motorcycle was on the road with the wright of way and she was entering from a driceway/parking lot. But then a gain he was just a guy on a motorcycle and she was in a truck, he was killed and she didn,t even have any damage and pulling a race car gives her additional bonus points towards not having done anything wrong. I can assure you her insurance company will not pay a penny either. Benn on the damage end of this one myself. Hit a Biker Go To Jail! the billboards lie in Florida and the field isn't even close to equal in Maine. My heart goes out to the family who not only lost a loved one but probably their house, car and business as well while this girl wont even get a failure to yield ticket.
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Boy dont we all have compassion here ! Im sure she didnt do this on purpose!!! She has to live with this the rest of her life and none of you even know her! Nor do I , Lighten up a little here
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My condolences to the family of Mr. Lothrop for their horrible loss.
But this poor girl had an accident and charges don't need to be brought if it is found that no improper actions were taken. Haven't you ever pulled in front of a car that you did not see? I bet you have and that was a car much bigger than a bike.
Tron you must be an outstanding citizen if you are so familiar with LPD and dislike them so much?
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I want to express my condolences to the family. Such a tragic ending to this accident. I feel sorry for the girl that pulled out in front of the motorcycle. She will have to live with this the rest of her life.
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I certainly hope they do file some charges against this girl. She caused this now fatal accident. Mr. Lorthrop knew to lay down his bike to avoid collision, but sadly, it did him no good. This girl needs to face the consequences of her actions.
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Time to charge the young lady with vehicular manslaughter. IF the police in Oxford have any guts, that is. Probably they're related to the Lewiston Cops.
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