Knox County Color Guard - Memorial Day Parade in Rockland - May 30, 2016

From left to right, Deputy Arthur Smith, Sergeant John Palmer, Deputy Scott Redmun, and Deputy Nate Jack.

Pedestrian struck by vehicle on Main Street in Thomaston - May 17, 2016

On May 17, 2016 at 12:59 p.m. the Knox County Sheriff's Office, along with Thomaston Police Department, responded to a crash involving a 18 wheeler and a pedestrian in the intersection of Main Street and Beechwood Street in Thomaston. Deputy Nathaniel Jack was assigned to investigate the crash due to the pedestrian being a Thomaston town employee. 

The operator of the truck was identified as Leo Pilote (54) of Loudon, NH. He was operating a 2003 Peter-built and was making a left hand turn onto Main Street, from Beechwood St. at the time of the incident. 

The pedestrian identified as Louise Demers (67) of Rockport was transported to Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport for non-life threatening injuries. The crash is still currently under investigation. It appears Pilote did not see Demers as she crossed in front of him while in the crosswalk. No criminal charges have been filed. Main Street was shut down for 4 hours while the crash was forensically mapped by Knox County Deputies. 

The Sheriff's Office requested the assistance of Lincoln County Sheriff's Office to reconstruct to crash. The Maine State Police Commercial Vehicle Unit was also called to assist with the investigation.

Charges filed relating to March 18 Fatal Crash in Washington - May 6, 2016

Knox County’s Sheriff and District Attorney’s Offices were notified on the afternoon of May 6th that Randall Weddle, 53, of a last known address of Greenville, Tennessee was taken into custody today by the Russell County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia. Mr. Weddle was arrested on charges out of this office as a result of the investigation into the double fatal crash involving 4 vehicles and a tractor-trailer truck loaded with lumber on Rt. 17 in Washington on March 18^th of this year. A combined investigation with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Maine State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement and Crash Reconstruction divisions provided enough information to the District Attorney’s Office to draft warrants for Weddle’s arrest. Weddle has been charged with two counts of Manslaughter, Class A Felony, and two counts of Aggravated OUI, Class B Felony. Due to the serious of the crimes it was determined pertinent to arrest Weddle immediately and it is likely more charges will come as further reviews are made into the evidence gathered. 

Weddle remains in custody with no bail in Virginia awaiting the extradition process to get him back to Knox County to face those charges.

Watch out for scams!

Mother’s day is almost here! If you are thinking about scheduling last minute flower deliveries, beware! With thousands of online flowers being ordered, crooks have hit a new low of setting up and then promoting fake online flower shops. They attract buyers by claiming to have cheap prices, but in reality are just taking credit card info and, you guessed it, not delivering flowers. Do your homework!  Don’t get lured by cheap prices and research the seller before you buy. Make sure every mom has the chance to be celebrated this mother’s day! 

Be a fraud fighter!  If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam. 

Contact your local law enforcement or the AARP Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork or 1-877-908-3360 to report a scam or for more information on scam and fraud prevention.