BLUE HILL, Maine — A Deer Isle couple had been arguing before the boyfriend was run over by his girlfriend last weekend in Blue Hill, police said Wednesday.
Andrew Ray, 31, died at the local hospital after being run over by his girlfriend, Kimberly Phelan, 29, sometime around 4:30 a.m. Saturday, said Hancock County Sheriff’s Deputy Chief Richard Bishop.
The couple had been drinking in Ellsworth and Blue Hill earlier that night, Bishop said Wednesday in releasing details about the fatality. At some point, Ray and Phelan arrived at Blue Hill Town Park at the end of Water Street. An argument ensued, Bishop said, though he would not disclose what the couple was arguing about.
During the course of the argument, Phelan drove off, leaving Ray at the park. Ray began walking back up toward Main Street, and got as far as the Blue Hill Fire Department when Phelan came back.
Bishop said Phelan had the passenger-side window open when she returned to Ray.
“They’re still arguing,” he said. “He puts his hands on the open window and she starts to back up.”
When Phelan hit the gas and reversed, Bishop said, Ray ended up underneath the 2003 Pontiac Aztek she was driving and was run over by the vehicle’s front tires. Bishop would not speculate whether Ray’s death was accidental or intentional.
Phelan called 911 around 4:30 a.m., Bishop said. Ray was rushed to Blue Hill Memorial Hospital, where he later died from injuries Bishop described as “major trauma.”
Police have interviewed several witnesses and reconstructed the incident. They are awaiting the results of a blood-alcohol test administered to Phelan, and are continuing to investigate the incident.
Bishop said the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office will submit its evidence to the district attorney’s office, which will determine whether Phelan will be charged in Ray’s death.
Follow Mario Moretto on Twitter at @riocarmine.
She probably get away with it saying she didn’t know he landed under car.
More than likely she will just get a slap on the wrist. If she gets away with it and Andy was my family. That’s when I would file a wrongful death suit against her… #JustSaying
There will probably be a wrongful death claim in any event. It’s almost a slam dunk. The biggest question is the amount of her liability coverage.
As a defense to any intentional homicide charge, she might say that he was angry, threatening, and trying to get into the car to go after her, so she hit the gas in a panic to escape from him as a matter of self defense.
Let’s just hope and pray that she doesn’t make that claim! Andy was not an abusive man ever in his life. He was a very sweet, kind and giving man and an amazing father to his son. Anyone who knew Andy would say the same.
I don’t doubt what you say. My comment was wildly speculative, positing a hypothetical criminal defense approach.
People facing serious criminal charges sometimes bend the facts.
I know what you were saying in your comment. I was replying that I hope with others testimony (if it goes to trial) will confirm that he was of good moral character. Unfortunately, people do come up with all kinds of accusations when they are faced with prison time – anything to get out of trouble, naturally. I just hope that she doesn’t try to get out of it with some off the wall excuse.
Please, please…. DON’T let her get away with this!!!! (speaking to future judge/jury here) Kim absolutely needs to be held accountable for what she has done!
That is a disgusting remark to make. I take it you have been burned by a woman in the past.
no not necesarilly
by a man?
by you :|
Don’t flatter yourself. You’re not my type.
what is your type? sex nuts and retard strong?
Another fine example of why you’re still single
how’d you guess that?
The dumbing down of Maine — you can read it every day in the Bangor Daily News! Pathetic!!
…
Comprehend much? I spoke solely of Maine and only Maine in my comment — no comparisons to anywhere else or anyone else.
Sorry about that – I read it again. I have seen others (on other issues) downing Mainers and here I went ahead and mis read your comment.
…
Very sad story
With awful consequences that I’m sure Kimberly Phelan never would have imagined in her wildest dreams.
The speculation and rumor is the same everytime something down here on the island happens! Bottom line is someone was killed at the hands of someone who was drinking and driving. Its very tragic and sad! I feel for both families, the one who lost an amazing son, brother, cousin, father and friend and the one who has to live with their disappointment of a daughter!
Well said, Heidi. I do feel for both families as well.
They were both drinking, and although she was the one driving here…either one could have been. I highly doubt this was intentional.
I’m not saying she should go unpunished…but when you mix emotions with alcohol, anything can happen.
Just something to think about before you call someone else a disappointment.
I’m sure YOU never made a mistake in your life right?
My condolences to his family.
…
We’ve all made mistakes in our lives. However, most of those mistakes don’t end up with someone losing their life.
“YOU have never made a mistake in your life right?” I wouldn’t consider this a mistake. Drinking and driving is a choice. Once someone who has been drinking chooses to get behind the wheel and drive the car, they have had time to reconsider. If this were my daughter I would be highly disappointed in her as well. No one is required to excuse drunk driving resulting in death. That is one choice, to drive drunk, that she likely had ample information on it’s risks prior to doing so and could have chosen not to. I don’t consider that a mistake at all.
…
It’s a woman… 6 months probation.
“I wonder what he did to make her do that to him??”
Andy was one of the most kind hearted souls I have had the pleasure of being around. I have known him for many years and he would never hurt anyone. I don’t recall him even saying a bad word about anyone… The only one that truly knows what happened that night is her.
Joy, (sigh), did you see the quotes?
This is an example of the way many would automatically blame him for her horrific actions..
I wasn’t saying anything against your post @Kennyh7:disqus . I was just making a statement about Andy and his demeanor. I wasn’t disregarding your comment – sorry if it looked that way!
I feel for the families of both parties. The victim’s family I feel for because they lost their loved one. And I feel for the family of the accused because her family has to wonder what is wrong with her that she would do something like this, even if she was drunk and angry.
I thought this might have all been connected after reading the initial story. It unfolded pretty much the way I thought.
Wow everyone just assumes it was on purpose hmmm? This sounds to me like it could be a perfectly legitimate accident. The only thing that seems fishy to me is that he died after only being backed over once…
There are a lot of facts to be filled in here. One of which would be the BAC of the two people involved (I’ll assume that both parties involved had samples taken). Also having lived in Blue Hill , I know that they roll up the sidewalks long before midnight even in mid summer…. There are several hours here that would need to be accounted for and likely others aware of the ongoings that could fill in the blanks. It sounds like this poor guy died right in front of the hospital on Water Street and was the result of a tragic accident involving two intoxicated people.
How does driving while drunk equal ‘legitimate?’
she backed over him twice not once…..drunk and wanted to make sure she got him….and cheating was involved too……
How can you be sure that cheating was involved? Still not an excuse to run someone over…
All my thoughts and prayers are with Andrew’s family and friends. We have lost an amazing young man who could put a smile on your face and would lend a hand in need. This is a tragic loss and a tragedy that never should of happened, to me there were other alternative ways, that this situation could have been handled. I am sorry I have no sympathy or respect for someone who could of taken other actions in this situation. I am also so proud of the community for the support and all the out pouring of love for Andrew and his family. Andrew will be sadly missed by many people. I am honored to have Andrew in my life and I miss him a lot.
VIA Stephen YorkOn behalf of Lori Ray and the family of Andrew Ray, I wish to announce the following information about Andy’s service, etc.1) The “Calling Hours” at the Bragdon Funeral Home in Stonington, will be next Monday, September 24th from 5 to 8 p.m. 2) The Memorial Service will be next Wednesday, September 26 at 3 p.m. at the Island Community Center in Stonington. The family has asked… me to officiate at the service. …3) The funeral expenses are due to Bragdon Kelley on Monday, in advance of the services. We need to raise more than $8,000. to cover that expense between now and Monday.4) Please repost this everywhere.money may be directly deposited to the “Andy Ray Memorial Fund” at the Camden Bank in Stonington. If people want…to mail a check, they may send it made out to the fund and mail it to: Stonington United Methodist Church, PO Box 307, Stonington, Maine 04681 c/o Stephen YorkThank you for your help. — Stephen Yorkhttp://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/Dr.StephenYork
Anytime you run over and kill somebody when you are legally drunk, there is a strong possibility that you will be charged with some sort of negligent homicide. It’s not considered an accident at that point, or a tragedy, except from the victim’s standpoint, maybe.
This is a very sad story. Ultimately at the beginning of each day, we choose to do what we want. Whether or not Kim was on drugs or under the influence- that is a choice she made that day. I do not feel sorry for her…
Nothing good ever happens after mid-night….
Another example of the tragedy that happens so often when alcohol is involved.