Edgar Degen was struck last week in an auto accident that killed

Kristine Martin

of Greene.
By Mark LaFlamme
Staff Writer

LEWISTON – An Auburn man injured in a crash that left his girlfriend dead on a Litchfield road last week was improving Friday at Central Maine Medical Center.

A week after he was struck by a car while examining a flat tire on Route 197, 30-year-old Edgar “Bruce” Degen was listed in good condition at the hospital.

Degen and his girlfriend, 27-year-old Kristine Martin of Greene, were next to her vehicle on the east-bound side of the road Oct. 30 when they were struck by a pickup truck.

Degen was preparing to change the tire when the driver of the truck, John Thurman, 47, of Litchfield, drove up from behind and struck the couple, police said.

Martin, standing next to Degen, was knocked unconscious. She suffered multiple injuries in the wreck. Degen suffered cracked vertebrae, a broken pelvis and internal injuries, according to his father.

“He looks like a tank ran over him,” said James Degen.

Martin’s two young sons and Degen’s daughter were inside her 1996 Toyota Camry when the couple were struck. The children witnessed it but were not injured.

Martin was taken to CMMC by LifeFlight helicopter. Degen was taken to the same hospital by ambulance.

Two days after the wreck, Martin died at CMMC. Degen has remained there since the crash, undergoing surgery for his injuries.

Maine State Police are investigating the circumstances of the wreck, which occurred on a long, straight stretch of Route 197 about a half-mile west of G&G Feed Store after dark.

As of Friday, no charges had been filed in the crash. Trooper Tim Black could not be reached for comment.

James Degen said his son left CMMC on Thursday to attend Martin’s wake. After an hour, he became weak and had to return to the hospital. Edgar Degen is expected to remain hospitalized for at least three weeks.

mlaflamme@sunjournal.com

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