Bicyclist Killed in Trek Across Maine Accident [UPDATE]

State Police say a bicyclist was killed on June 14, when he was struck by a tractor trailer along Route 2 in Hanover, Maine. Troopers identified the victim as 23-year-old David LeClair of Watertown, Mass. who was riding with a group of friends as part of the Trek Across Maine.

***UPDATE: State Police say the fatal bicycle crash was likely caused when bicyclist David LeClair lost control as he was sipping water. State Police Lt. Walter Grzyb said witnesses told troopers that LeClair was sipping from a water bottle at the time and had only one hand on the handlebar. Witnesses also said there was at least 3 1/2 to 4 feet separating LeClair from the passing truck. The truck involved was driven by Michael Masse-Defresne of Quebec. Grzyb said there is little chance any charges will be lodged against the trucker, but the final crash report will be reviewed by the district attorney's office next month. The State Medical Examiner’s Office says LeClair died from “blunt force trauma to the head and there is evidence that his left arm was struck by the truck.”*****

Police say LeClair apparently was struck by the rear portion of the tractor trailer as it passed the cyclist around 8:45 a.m.  He was killed instantly. Friends riding with LeClair stopped to render assistance and called police with a description of the truck when it did not stop.

Police pulled over a truck of a similar description in Rumford a short time later. The driver was interviewed and the truck is being examined by a team of State Troopers.

More than 2,000 bicyclists took off from Sunday River Ski Resort this morning on the three-day, 180-mile Trek Across Maine. The accident occurred just a few miles from the starting point.

State police continue their investigation.