Farmington police officer Shane Cote said he believes it was a “true accident.”
FARMINGTON – Police say both people involved were at fault Monday when a truck struck a pedestrian crossing Main Street in a crosswalk. The pedestrian was injured.
The pedestrian, Cynthia Armandi, 46, of Jay was crossing the street from Kyes Insurance Building toward Peoples Bank when she was struck by a pickup truck driven by Joseph Hakala, 19, of West Paris, said Farmington police officer Shane Cote.
Hakala had a green light and was turning left from Broadway to Main Street, Cote said. He told police something was blocking his view, and he didn’t see Armandi until it was too late, Cote said.
Armandi was struck by a push plate on the frame of the plow truck and thrown about 12 to 15 feet, Cote said.
Cote said he believes it was a “true accident” and won’t be charging anyone.
Both parties were in the wrong, Cote said.
Hakala failed to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, Cote said.
And Armandi, even though she was in the crosswalk, was jaywalking because she hadn’t pushed the “walk” button on the traffic signal. Instead, she crossed the street when the red “do not walk” signal was on, he said.
Farmington Town Manager Richard Davis, who was unavailable for comment Wednesday, had previously voiced concern to state transportation officials about the traffic signals at that intersection.
Even when a pedestrian pushes the walk signal to cross the road, traffic on the opposite street has a green light.
In July, Davis said the state had a bid out to change the traffic signals at the intersection so that pedestrians could activate all lights to turn red so walkers could cross more safely.
New, brighter fluorescent signs and brighter bulbs were also scheduled to be installed to improve visibility and safety.
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