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Police release new details in crash that killed Maine sheriff’s deputy

Police release new details in crash that killed Maine sheriff’s deputy

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


(WGAN) The Maine Dept. of Public Safety released new details Friday about the death of a Hancock County Sheriff’s deputy.

A news release from the department said Deputy Luke Gross was responding at approximately 4:30 a.m. to a crash along Route 3 in Trenton, near Ellsworth.

The department said the driver fled the scene and Gross exited his vehicle to pick up the debris.

Spokeswoman Shannon Moss said the driver of the crashed vehicle was identified as 20-year-old Thorin Smith of Bar Harbor.

Moss said that Smith was located a short distance away sleeping in his car after fleeing the scene of the crash.

Smith was charged with leaving the scene of an accident, illegal use of drug paraphernalia and illegal possession of alcohol by a minor.

Gross activated the emergency lights on his vehicle and was wearing a “high visibility traffic vest” at the time.

At approximately 5:15 a.m., the 44-year-old deputy was struck from behind by a small pick-up truck, the release said.

Police said the driver of the truck that hit Gross was fully cooperating with the investigation and that no charges were expected.

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