Dover-Foxcroft Man Found Dead After Hit-and-Run Crash

A 73-year-old Cambridge resident has been confirmed dead following a hit-and-run collision on North Street in Dover-Foxcroft, according to police in the state capital. Barry Lial was discovered unresponsive on the roadway early Wednesday evening and pronounced dead at the scene. The incident has prompted a search for the driver of the vehicle involved, which authorities have identified as a light-colored sedan traveling northbound along North Street between Summer and Winter Streets at approximately 7:55 p.m.

Police responded to the location at about 8 p.m. on Wednesday after receiving reports of a person on the side of the road who appeared unresponsive. Upon arrival, officers determined that Lial had been struck by a moving vehicle while attempting to cross the street. The man, whose identity was officially established by the Dover-Foxcroft Police Department on Friday, is Barry Lial, 73, of Cambridge.

Initial reports suggested the incident may have been a hit-and-run, prompting the department to work closely with the Maine Medical Examiner’s Office and Maine State Police Major Crime Units to determine the exact cause of death. However, the narrative shifted quickly as new information emerged during the investigation.

On Wednesday night, the police department issued a social media update stating that preliminary findings pointed toward a hit-and-run crash. Yet, they immediately clarified that "the evidence, at this time, does not support those reports." This discrepancy created uncertainty among local residents and led to a broader inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

By Friday afternoon, the department requested that residents and business owners in the affected area submit any available security footage from their properties. The request came after reviewing additional evidence that suggested the initial assumption of a hit-and-run might have been premature. That evening, the police announced that they now believe the incident was indeed a hit-and-run crash and had identified the suspected vehicle as a light-colored sedan.

Authorities shared a video clip of the vehicle, showing it traveling northbound on North Street between Summer and Winter Streets at approximately 7:55 p.m. on Wednesday. The footage indicates that the car may have sustained minimal visible damage to its hood or windshield due to the impact, though such minor marks could easily go unnoticed without closer examination.

The Dover-Foxcroft Police Department has urged anyone with information regarding the vehicle or its occupants to contact them directly. Residents are asked to call 207-564-8021, extension 303, and specifically request to speak with Sergeant Jeremy Rackliff.

The case remains under active investigation, with investigators continuing to review all available evidence to ensure a thorough determination of what occurred on North Street last night.