Man Hit While Running Across Maine Turnpike to Evade Arrest

On Sunday, September 28, 2025, at approximately 8:30 p.m., the Maine State Police were notified by the Portland Police Department after a truck driver reported possibly striking a pedestrian on the Maine Turnpike.

According to the Maine Department of Public Safety, the driver, Michael Kilmer, 68, of West Virginia, initially believed he had hit a deer while traveling northbound near mile 32 in Biddeford. However, after reviewing footage from his in-truck camera, Kilmer realized the collision involved a pedestrian and immediately contacted authorities.

Troopers responded and quickly identified the location of the incident. They discovered the injured man, later identified as Jared Felling, 39, of Ellsworth, in a marshy area near the exit. Felling had sustained serious leg and head injuries and was also showing early signs of hypothermia.

Troopers provided first aid until Kennebunk Fire Rescue arrived and transported him to Maine Medical Center in Portland. His injuries, while serious, were determined to be non-life-threatening.

The investigation revealed that Felling had been fleeing from Biddeford Police at the time of the incident after being caught stealing from vehicles near the Biddeford exit. In an attempt to evade capture, he tried to run across the turnpike, leading to the collision.

Further investigation determined that Felling had earlier removed a court-ordered ankle monitor in Ellsworth. As a result, the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office had issued a temporary arrest warrant for Violation of Conditional Release.