An Orr’s Island woman died Wednesday, Jan. 14, after being struck by a vehicle on Route 24 north of the island’s fire station, according to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.
Jean Appleby Johnson, 71, had parked her SUV on the southbound shoulder and was outside the vehicle when she was struck and killed by a truck that veered off the road, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Johnson was active in the community as a volunteer with several organizations, according to a bio on the website of the Salt Bay Chamberfest, where she was a board member. She worked in Washington, D.C., before moving to the island in 2006.
Alton D. Wyman, 41, of Topsham, was driving a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck north on Route 24, toward Great Island, when he crossed the centerline and the opposite lane, then struck Johnson and her 2019 BMW X3 around 2:49 p.m., investigators said. The collision was near Tower Hill Road.
Despite rapid lifesaving efforts, Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Wyman was taken to Maine Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
A spokesperson for the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Lt. James Estabrook, said it is not known whether alcohol or drugs factored into the crash or whether there will be criminal charges. He said Wyman was given a blood test, which is customary for a driver involved in a fatal crash.
Wyman was convicted of operating under the influence in April 2025 for an incident in Wiscasset in January 2025. He was sentenced to two days in jail and his license was suspended for 150 days, according to The Lincoln County News.
Estabrook said Wyman’s license had been reinstated on Sept. 10, 2025, and he had a valid license at the time of the crash. He declined to say whether Wyman has additional criminal history, calling it “part of the ongoing investigation.”
The crash remains under investigation by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal Investigations Division. The Brunswick Police Department and Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office are assisting with crash reconstruction. Harpswell fire and rescue personnel also responded.
Route 24, also known as Harpswell Islands Road, is the only road from Bailey and Orr’s islands to Great Island and the mainland beyond. The road was closed while first responders and investigators worked the scene. It reopened at about 6:30 p.m.
The road closure delayed bus transportation from Harpswell Community School and Mt. Ararat middle and high schools. A bus bringing Mt. Ararat middle and high schoolers home for the day was stuck in traffic, while younger students from HCS stayed late at school.
“We are activating a crisis support plan to assist any families or students who may need it this evening and tomorrow,” Superintendent of Schools Heidi O’Leary said in a message to parents.
Nik Manousos, a volunteer with the Orr’s and Bailey Islands Fire Department, was acting captain at the crash site.
Manousos described a “chaotic” scene that was further complicated by the need to protect the victim’s privacy and shield onlookers — especially younger ones — from seeing anything that might traumatize them. First responders held up sheets to block the view.
“I didn’t want those young people to see anything,” Manousos said.
Despite the chaos, he said, each member of the emergency response team remained calm and performed their role admirably. Manousos said he made sure first responders had access to counseling and support after the crash.
