Police: Lewiston, Maine, Student Hit and Killed While Walking to School

Thursday night, the Lewiston community begins to say goodbye to Jayden at a community vigil at 7 p.m. at the Lewiston Middle School.

A 13-year-old boy from Lewiston, Maine was hit and killed by a car while walking to school Thursday morning.

Lewiston Police say Jayden Cho-Sargent was walking within the crosswalk at the intersection of Main and Frye Streets, heading toward Lewiston Middle School, when a pickup truck struck him.

“It’s very tragic,” said Lt. Mark Cornelio, who identified the driver as 54-year-old Laurie Young of South Paris, Maine. Police say she is cooperating with the investigation. Police have taken a blood sample for testing and at the conclusion of the investigation, will forward the case to the Androscoggin District Attorney for review.

“She was not on her cell phone at the time,” said Lt. Cornelio. “She just did not see him. It was rainy, dark, so there is a possibility that the weather did have something to do with this.”

Neighbors say they see cars speeding down Main Street regularly, and worry about their children’s safety during school hours.

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve yelled at them to speed down,” said Mindy Joseph, who is friends with Jayden’s mother.

“He was definitely a sweet heart,” she said of the teenager. “He’s the one to always have a smile on his face, saying hi.”

Thursday night, the Lewiston community begins to say goodbye to Jayden at a community vigil at 7 p.m. at the Lewiston Middle School.

“As we continue to process this tragedy we are finding both students and teachers are mostly wanting to spend time together,” said Lewiston Middle School Principal Jake Langlais in a statement. “Jayden was a wonderful boy who established himself as both kind and friendly. It is with much respect for the family that we mourn all that Jayden shared with us.”

The superintendent’s office said grief counselors have been available to students Thursday, and support staff will be on hand in the days ahead.

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