Civil Charge Against Driver That Struck Middle School Student
The driver of a vehicle that struck and killed a Lewiston Middle School student is facing a civil charge.
54-year-old Laurie Young of South Paris was charged Wednesday in connection with the accident that happened November 3rd on Main Street in Lewiston. 13-year-old Jayden Cho-Sargent was crossing Main Street in a crosswalk when he was struck by a pickup driven by Young, who told Police she didn't see the teen until the last second. She tried to stop, but Jayden was dragged more than a car length. She agreed to alcohol and toxicology tests and police have looked into her cellphone records.
Young is charged with a civil motor vehicle violation resulting in death. The maximum fine for this offense is $5,000 and it carries a maximum license suspension of four years.
The Portland Press Herald reports that Cho-Sargent's mother, Kellie Foley, issued a statement through her attorneys yesterday expressing the family's disappointment with the civil charge. She said in the statement that Jayden was legally in a crosswalk, wasn't wearing dark clothing, and was over 5 feet tall, so should have been visible to the driver. The family has the option of filing a civil charge against Young, but nothing is pending.