HARPSWELL, Maine — A woman and her dog died early Wednesday morning after being struck by a vehicle on Route 24, according to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.
Rita Douglas, 75, of Harpswell was walking her dog north on Route 24 when she was struck by a northbound vehicle driven by Isabella Slocum, 16, also of Harpswell, according to a statement from the sheriff’s office.
Both Douglas and the dog were killed instantly, according to the statement.
Capt. Don Goulet of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department said the Brunswick Police Department and the Criminal Investigation Division of the sheriff’s office were investigating the incident.
He noted that the rising sun may been a factor, impairing the driver’s vision.
“At that hour of the morning, the sun’s coming up,” he said.
Investigators do not believe that alcohol or speed were factors, Goulet said Wednesday.
Police notified Douglas’ husband, who was not home at the time of the incident, as well as her children.
Route 24 was reduced to one lane for several hours and the crash remains under investigation.
Daneem Kim, a staff writer for The Times Record, contributed to this report.
