A quiet Tuesday evening in Durham turned heartbreaking when 85-year-old Peter Lowe was struck and killed while crossing Royalsborough Road to check his mailbox. The incident happened just after 5 p.m. on November 18, 2025, in a stretch of roadway that is dimly lit, leaving investigators and the community stunned by how ordinary daily life led to such a tragic end.
According to the Androscoggin County Regional Communications Center, first responders were called to the intersection of Royalsborough Road and Smith Farm Road shortly after the crash. Deputies from the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office, along with Durham Fire-Rescue personnel, arrived quickly to secure the scene. Freeport Police and Freeport Fire-Rescue also supported the response, helping to manage the area while investigators worked.
Preliminary findings from the crash reconstruction team show that a black 2019 Ford Escape, driven southbound by 49-year-old Sara Bolduc of Freeport, collided with Lowe as he was crossing the road. The victim had been walking toward his mailbox, clad in dark clothing, which officials believe made him nearly invisible in the low light. Tragically, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators are carefully piecing together the circumstances, examining roadway conditions, whether vehicle data could reveal more, and exactly how Lowe entered the road. The sheriff’s crash reconstructionist is leading that effort, noting that such investigations can take time as they gather witness statements and analyze every detail.
The loss has left a heavy mark on the small Durham community. For many, it’s a devastating reminder of how vulnerable pedestrians can be—especially older residents making what should be a simple walk to their mailbox.
Local officials are urging residents to stay alert during darker hours, especially on roads with little to no street lighting. They stress the importance of wearing brighter or reflective clothing and using extra caution whether walking or driving.
The crash remains under active investigation, and authorities say they will release more information as their work continues. In the meantime, friends, family, and neighbors are grieving the loss of a life ended far too soon by a routine evening task.
