Former Lebanon selectman injured when struck by car

Royce Heath (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - A former selectmen and transfer station worker from Lebanon, Maine, was injured on Friday when he was struck by a car while crossing a street in Rochester about a half hour after sunset.

Royce Heath, 65, was found lying on the pavement near Linden Street when police responded to the scene around 5:05 p.m.

It was determined that Heath had been attempting to cross South Main Street on a marked crosswalk from the southeastern corner of the South Main Street/Linden Street intersection. He was struck by a 2016 Honda Fit operated by John Loder, 88, of Moultonboro,

Map denotes area of accident. (Google map)

As a result of the collision, Heath was transported to Frisbie Memorial Hospital with unspecified injuries. Loder was not hurt.

Poor visibility was determined to be a factor in this collision as the intersection is not controlled by traffic signals and there is little ambient lighting in the area.

In a press release, police added that there were headlights shining in Loder's direction from opposing vehicles, and Heath was wearing dark clothing at the time.

Police took the opportunity to remind citizens that light-colored and reflective clothing will increase visibility during dark conditions and not to assume that just because a vehicle has its headlights that the operator can see you.

Heath served one term as selectman from 2014-2017.