By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
EASTON, Maine — Maine State Police have located and charged the motorist involved in a hit-and-run accident in Easton which occurred at approximately 3 p.m. Monday. “A horse-drawn buggy was traveling southbound on U.S. Route 1A when a southbound car struck the buggy, pushing it off the road onto a lawn. The 16-year-old male operator of the buggy was thrown but did not sustain any injuries,” said Sgt. Brian Harris, of the MSP.
Working with eye witness reports that a late model black Volkswagen was responsible for the crash, police were eventually able to locate the suspect. Brandon S, Clark, 20, of Fort Fairfield, was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a property damage accident, driving to endanger, failure to maintain control of a motor vehicle and failure to use caution when passing an animal. His 2013 Volkswagen sustained significant damage to the front end in the crash but Clark was not injured.
Harris said the buggy was destroyed by the impact but the horse was not injured as a result of the Nov. 11 crash.
Several Amish families live in the vicinity of Route 1A, between Fort Fairfield and Easton. Horse buggies and wagons are a common sight in this area, serving as the Amish families’ mode of transportation.
Maine Statute Title 29-A, Chapter19, Subsection 2055 indicates animals have the same rights as motorists: www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/29-A/title29-Asec2055.html. When passing animals, it states: “When traveling in the same direction as an animal on away, an operator must use reasonable caution in passing the animal.
