Fort Kent woman hit while picking up coins

FORT KENT – Gertrude Hallee, 88, of Fort Kent suffered hip injuries on Sunday when she was struck by a minivan while she was picking up change lying on the ground.

Hallee was listed in stable condition Monday afternoon at Northern Maine Medical Center by a hospital spokesperson.

According to police, Hallee was crossing the parking lot at Paradis Shop ‘n Save at about 2:55 p.m. Sunday when she noticed the change on the ground.

While Hallee was bent over, she could not be seen and was struck by Renee Albert, 36, of Fort Kent, who was backing out of a parking spot in her 1998 minivan.

“The driver never saw her [Hallee] because she was bent over behind the van,” Police Chief Kenneth Michaud said Monday. “Mrs. Hallee was out of her sight.”

Michaud said Hallee was in severe pain and distress when she was being removed by ambulance personnel.