LEWISTON (WGAN)– The Lewiston Police Department released footage of the October 24th crash, involving mayor-elect Mark Cayer, and pedestrian Julianne Dawson of Lewiston. The video footage confirms partially the accounts of the crash from both parties.
According to our information partners at CBS 13, Cayer took to Facebook the day following the crash to admit responsibility. Citing distractions contributed to the crash, including a bicyclist and a scooter in a bike lane on the right side, and firetrucks that were nearby at the time. Cayer stated that he was driving at or below the posted speed limit at the time of the crash.
The video published by the Bangor Daily News shows the location of both parties at the time of the crash, but doesn’t show some of the distractions Cayer cited as factors in the crash. The video shows about half of the crosswalk, Dawson in the roadway, but no bicyclist or scooter in the frame. Two firefighters appeared in the video later. The video shows Dawson putting her hands up before the impact, then she hits the vehicles windshield, and falls into the middle of the road.
It was confirmed by Lewiston Fire Chief Brian Stockdale that his department was holding trainings nearby on Bartlett Street at the time of the crash. The video is not able to confirm how far away Cayer was from those trainings.
Cayer was charged with failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk or showing visible intent to enter a crosswalk, and a traffic violation. Cayer did not contest these charges, and paid a $180 ticket according to court records.
Dawson told the Bangor Daily News in October she wanted the video to be public, to curb some comments from the public blaming her for the incident. Lewiston Police declined to release the video until after Cayer paid the ticket, citing it could interfere with court proceedings if he decided to challenge the ticket.
The accident report states it was “unknown” if Cayer was distracted at the time of the crash. The report also stated Dawson was “inattentive” at the time of the crash.
In October, Cayer sought her out at her home, and apologized to her for the incident. Cayer reiterated Friday in a statement that he agrees with the Lewiston Police Department’s investigation, and admits responsibility for the crash stating “it was my responsibility to be aware of everything that was around me.”
