FALMOUTH, Maine — A 21-year-old motorcyclist died Saturday afternoon after he slammed into the back of an SUV on Interstate 295.
Alexander Small of Richmond was riding his Yamaha motorcycle in the northbound lanes of the interstate near mile marker 11 around noon Saturday. Witnesses said Small was “operating [the motorcycle] erratically at a high rate of speed in and out of traffic,” Maine Department of Public Safety spokesman Stephen McCausland said in a news release.
Small approached a Honda Pilot driven by Cary Phoenix, 40, of Portland. The Pilot had other three passengers, including two young children, according to police.
Small failed to slow down enough or turn to avoid the Pilot, which was in the travel lane, and slammed into the rear bumper of the SUV, according to McCausland. Small and his motorcycle then struck the guardrail.
Small died at Maine Medical Center in Portland shortly after he arrived in an ambulance. Police say he was wearing a helmet.
A blood test is pending for Small to determine whether any intoxicants were involved.
Police say there will be no charges filed in connection with the crash, as evidence and witnesses indicated that Small’s operation of the motorcycle caused the crash.
The Maine Department of Public Safety reported Aug. 3 that 17 people had died in motorcycle crashes in Maine since the start of the year. There have been at least four more fatal motorcycle crashes since then. That’s more than three times the six motorcycle fatalities during the same period last year.
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