A 57-year-old Portland woman has been identified as the victim of a hit-and-run crash that killed her near 1837 Forest Ave. on August 24, with the dark-colored pickup truck that struck her still unaccounted for. Police say witnesses saw the truck fleeing inbound on Forest Avenue immediately after the crash, and investigators are now asking anyone with information to come forward.
Portland Police identified the victim as Nichele Roakes, a Portland resident, and confirmed she was struck and killed in the hit-and-run, according to Spectrum News. Police said the vehicle fled the scene following the crash, and witnesses described it as a dark-colored pickup truck last seen heading inbound on Forest Avenue. Investigators are requesting information from first-hand witnesses and anyone who may know details about the crash, along with video footage from dashcams, doorbell cameras, and security cameras in the area. Anyone who saw the truck before or after the crash is asked to call (207) 874-8575.
A Corridor With a Painful History
Roakes's death was Portland's second pedestrian fatality of 2026 and the sixth since the start of 2025, according to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. Forest Avenue, also known as US Route 302, has been the site of prior tragedy: in March 2025, 57-year-old Bradley Brookings was killed near Walton Street after being struck by two vehicles in succession around 9:15 p.m., the coalition's earlier reporting shows. Other recent deaths include 53-year-old Jason Ayers, killed on a median at Preble Street and Marginal Way in June 2026, and Justin Mitchell, killed crossing Riverside Street near the Homeless Services Center in February 2025.
Statewide, the toll has been mounting too. More than 400 pedestrian-involved crashes occurred across Maine in 2025, resulting in at least 25 pedestrian fatalities, per the same coalition's reporting. In Portland alone, five people were killed in traffic crashes last year, including four pedestrians, while 11 pedestrians and four bicyclists suffered serious injuries.
What Comes Next Legally
Maine law requires drivers involved in a crash to stop and render aid. Under Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A, § 2252, intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly failing to stop or remain at the scene of an accident resulting in death or serious bodily injury is classified as a Class C crime. Should the driver be identified and charged, Title 17-A, § 1604 of Maine's criminal code sets a maximum statutory penalty for a Class C felony of up to five years in prison and fines of up to $5,000 — the lowest felony classification under state law.
City and State Push Safety Measures Amid Pressure
The crash lands amid an already active push for street safety reforms in Portland. The Portland City Council formally committed to Vision Zero on April 14, 2025, and endorsed its first Vision Zero Action Plan that August, setting a target to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2045. In June, the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety launched a community-driven campaign titled “Slow Down, Portland. We Walk Here,” targeting Portland, Lewiston, and Auburn due to high crash rates.
Local advocates say the pace of change hasn't kept up with the casualties. In August, the Portland Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee began urging the city to adopt “20 is Plenty,” a campaign proposing a 20 mph speed limit on most peninsula streets. It remains an open question whether such a reduction on a state route like Forest Avenue would require approval from the Maine Department of Transportation, and police have not said whether surveillance footage or other leads have emerged in the search for the fleeing pickup truck.
