|
|
NEW SHARON – A New Sharon man was killed this morning in front of his residence on the Starks Road, after he was struck by a pickup truck.
Maine State Police say that Glen Fitch, 87, of New Sharon, was killed instantly after he was struck by a pickup truck, operated by Walter Fails, 43, also of New Sharon. Investigating Trooper Samuel Tlumac said, in a statement released by the Department of Public Safety, that Fitch had taken his recycling out to the curb of Route 134, also known as the Starks Road, at roughly 7:30 a.m. this morning.
As Fitch returned to his home, police believe he saw the oncoming truck and turned back, but was struck while in the roadway. The scene indicated that the impact threw Fitch onto the hood of the truck.
Fails was returning home from his job as a Somerset County Jail corrections officer. Also a part-time deputy with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, he was reportedly uninjured in the crash. A team of six troopers is investigating the crash and hadn’t determined a cause as of this morning. Two factors under consideration, according to spokesman Steve McCausland, are the glare of the morning sun and a possible “mistake” by Fitch.
Fitch was a member of New Sharon Fire and Rescue Department since 1965, said Fire Chief Jeff Brackett today. Brackett, who has worked at the department with Fitch for 37 years, was not one of those from the fire department responding to the fatality this morning because he was at work.
“Up until two years ago, he did everything for the department,” Brackett said of Fitch, adding he still remained active by helping to get parts, bringing water, covering at the station when the crew was called out.
“He was a very nice man who would do anything for anybody,” Brackett said.
Fitch was also a member of the New Sharon Congregational Church and, for many years, he was involved in various community activities.
Our Thoughts and Prayers go out to both Families.
So sad. Our thoughts and prayers go out to both families.
Nothing about speed mentioned …
Glen was a generous, community-minded neighbor and friend. He’ll be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Glen would do anything for anybody. He was a great friend of the Porter Family for many years, “holding down the fort” at Porter’s garage so George & Lucille could escape. He loved his family, his own, and the members of his wife’s. He loved all his kids, and greatly missed Evelyn after she died – doing volunteer work, too.
Glen was a willing neighbor, driving various single ladies to Farmington to do errands, while he patiently waited on the bench at Hannaford. I don’t think Glen had a mean bone in his body. This is a very difficult end to a man with integrity.
Thoughts to go out to both families….
grew up in New Sharon, Glen was a great man. Condolences to his family.
Tough day for a fairly tight community! We will miss you Mr. Fitch and will never forget the laughs. My thoughts, as well, are with both families. Goes to show, you just never know.
As a community, this is such as great loss. To the Fitch family it is such a sad loss. To Mr Fails it is a sad burden to his heart. I know both the Fitch and Fails families and they are great folks and our love and prayers go out to them all. Embrace them, care for them and be there for them. Please keep both familes in your prayers and in your hearts.
Such a tragedy. I did not know Mr. Fitch, but from what I’ve heard he was a great man and will surely be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family for their loss. My thoughts and deepest prayers also go out to the Fails family as I know them personally and know their struggle. Everyone’s prayers are greatly appreciated and needed in this time.
RIP Glen, you will be missed.
Praying for the family. We will miss seeing Glens smiling face around town.
Thin blue line again. Corrections officer and PT deputy was driving a vehicle that killed a man and the State Police are already saying that the man that was KILLED possibly made a “mistake”???
Over 300 people killed by police in the past 12 years in Maine and EVERY SINGLE ONE has been classicifed as “justifiable” in one way or another.
I would like to say, on behalf of my husband Joseph (Glen’s grandson) and I, thank you all for your prays, thoughts, and condolences. They mean so much to us! Grandpa was a wonderful person and we miss him so much. He can now once more be with Evelyn, which in it’s own way is a bit of a blessing.
We do ask that people remember to keep the Fails’ family in their prayers as well. This was a tragic accident that has effected both families in it’s own way. May they find the support that they need through this also.
(For those that want to turn this into a political debate, or try to pin blame, please don’t. That is heartless and cruel. This was a tragic accident; that’s all there is to it. If you do not know all of the details, do not judge.)
Thank you again for your support and love! We really do appreciate it!
Tasha and Joseph Raymond
ITS A GIANT CONSPIRACY! Get off it Jim, accidents happen, and although very tragic, they do happen. It’s still being investigated so leave it alone. Apparently someone’s had some issues with law enforcement…
Prayers for both families.
I travel that road daily, never had “glare” affect my vision. Has anyone checked cell phone records?
Please. Let’s just support both families during this time – the one who lost a loved one and the one who must support their loved one while he will forever blame himself for what was obviously a horrible accident. Shame on anyone who tries to make this out to be more than the extremely unfortunate and heartbreaking accident it was.