Welcome to reader comments forum, which is offered as
a "public square" for our audience. We view this space as our readers'
section of the Web site, separate from our journalistic offerings.
We hope you will use the forum to advance public dialogue and community
discourse. As such, we ask that participants refrain from personal
attacks and offensive comments. If you believe a comment is inappropriate or
offensive, you can bring it to our attention by clicking on the 'report
abuse' link by the comment. It will be reviewed by online staff.
Please understand that 1) a comment is not "inappropriate" solely
because you disagree with its author; and 2) there may be a delay while
the comment is being reviewed.
Please review our Reader Comment Guidelines.
Sort by: Oldest first | Newest First
Jumper
of Farmingdale, ME
With that being said, I also agree that horse and buggy should be allowed on the road with some stipulations such as proper lighting (which the article indicated that it had) and respecting the rules of the road, pulling over for cars, etc.report abuse
Jun 4, 2008 9:59 AM
So sad that this happened and my heart goes out to the family involved with this horrible tragedy. I also feel bad for the truck driver, regardless of what happened....now he has to live with this the rest of his life. I think we need to not be so quick to judge because this truly could have happened to anyone. It was an accident that could have occurred from looking in the rearview mirror (which in driver's ed they teach you to look out the rearview mirror often), from going over the hill and the sun catching your eye and you crash before you knew anything was there, etc. Even the most careful drivers could get into an accident, that is why they are called an accident.
With that being said, I also agree that horse and buggy should be allowed on the road with some stipulations such as proper lighting (which the article indicated that it had) and respecting the rules of the road, pulling over for cars, etc.report abuse
reader
of Portland-Boston, ME
Many times i have been driving and blinded by sunlight-----I SLOWED DOWN instantly and expected the unexpected.report abuse
Jun 4, 2008 6:55 AM
I have driven the equivalent of 25 times around the earth in Maine,Massachusetts,and numerous trips to Florida. I have never been in an accident.
Many times i have been driving and blinded by sunlight-----I SLOWED DOWN instantly and expected the unexpected.report abuse
Acadianlion
of Ellsworth, ME
However I am perfectly well aware that this sharp hill on the edge of the downtown area of Ellworth appears as a challenge to drivers who "gun" their engines to race up the short steep hill. I have little doubt that this is how my grandmother was killed: struck by a taxi driver who "floored it" to "make" the hill. It still happens to this day.
I feel very much for the victims of this needless accident. However the suspicion will always remain about the judgement and speed of a vehicle driver, at dusk, driving into the sunset on a rural road. He was probably driving home after a long day, and I have little doubt that his speed was excessive for the driving conditions at that spot, at that time.
In my opinion, there are no excuses: the driver of the truck should have slowed down.report abuse
Jun 4, 2008 6:33 AM
Many years ago my grandmother was crossing the street at the foot of Bridge Hill in Ellsworth. Bridge Hill is on Route 1 and is known as Main Street in Ellsworth. It was late in the afternoon in October, and she was struck and killed by a taxi that was proceeding up the hill into the setting sun, which can be very blinding at certain times of the fall. No fault was found after an investigation.
However I am perfectly well aware that this sharp hill on the edge of the downtown area of Ellworth appears as a challenge to drivers who "gun" their engines to race up the short steep hill. I have little doubt that this is how my grandmother was killed: struck by a taxi driver who "floored it" to "make" the hill. It still happens to this day.
I feel very much for the victims of this needless accident. However the suspicion will always remain about the judgement and speed of a vehicle driver, at dusk, driving into the sunset on a rural road. He was probably driving home after a long day, and I have little doubt that his speed was excessive for the driving conditions at that spot, at that time.
In my opinion, there are no excuses: the driver of the truck should have slowed down.report abuse
mayflower
of st. francis, ME
Jun 3, 2008 9:15 PM
How sad. These two darling little girls, must have been enjoying this pony ride tremendously.Who'd ever believe what the end result would be. So sad for the parents. They most likely were so happy to do this for their darling little girls. Accidents do happen to anyone , at anytime.Even sadder when a life is involved.May God grant peace to all involved.report abuseYou must be a registered user of MaineToday.com to post a comment. Register or log in.


