Woman in wheelchair struck by vehicle

BANGOR – A 70-year-old Bangor woman suffered leg injuries Thursday after being struck by a Jeep while crossing the street in her motorized wheelchair.

Irene Eaton was taken to a local hospital by Bangor Fire Department emergency rescue personnel, according to Sgt. Larry Weber of the Bangor Police Department.

Eaton initially was taken to St. Joseph Hospital, but was transferred to Eastern Maine Medical Center, according to a nursing supervisor at St. Joseph Hospital.

A nursing supervisor at EMMC said Eaton was still being evaluated late Thursday.

Weber said the accident occurred about 3:45 p.m. on Union Street, in front of Hayford Park.

According to a police report, Richard Johnson, 60, of Brewer was headed east on Union Street in his 1997 Jeep when he attempted to drive around a vehicle ahead of him that was turning onto Thomas Hill Road.

As he did so, he struck Eaton, who was in an intersection attempting to cross Union Street, Weber said.

Weber said Johnson did not see Eaton until it was too late to stop. The report did not indicate whether charges were being contemplated.