SKOWHEGAN (AP) – An 87-year-old man who was operating a riding lawn mower in front of his home was killed when struck by a car that skidded out of control.

Bernard Currier was thrown from the mower and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The driver of the car, James Paine, 18, of Norridgewock, suffered minor injuries.

The crash occurred around 5:30 p.m. Monday on Parkman Hill Road.

Paine’s car was partially in the opposite lane when it crested a hill and he pulled to the right to avoid a vehicle headed in the opposite direction, police said.

Police Chief Michael Emmons said Paine overcorrected, hit a ditch, skidded and struck Currier. The chief said speed was apparently a factor.

A member of the district attorney’s office was at the scene, but there was no immediate word on whether criminal charges were anticipated.

It was the second fatal crash in Skowhegan in as many days. A Vermont woman was killed Sunday in a two-vehicle accident on Route 2, about a mile away.

AP-ES-08-21-07 0938EDT