Homeless advocate says Portland hit-and-run victim was ‘exceptional person’

Portland Hit‑and‑Run Claims Life of Long‑Time Community Member

PORTLAND — The Portland Police Department identified 57‑year‑old Nichele Roakes as the victim of a fatal hit‑and‑run that occurred on the night of August 24, 2026. The incident unfolded near the 1800 block of Outer Forest Avenue around 9 p.m., when a dark‑colored pickup truck struck Roakes as she attempted to cross the street. The driver fled the scene, and no suspect has been identified.

Who Was Nichele Roakes?

Roakes, who described herself as a veteran of the Afghanistan campaign, had spent much of her adult life without permanent housing. She was a familiar figure at Deering Oaks, where she met Betti Curran each Saturday for the past six years. The two women would spread a blanket, share a picnic, and sometimes sketch together—Curran often brought sketchpads and colored pencils because Roakes loved to draw. Curran, a Topsham resident who regularly delivered food and clothing to Portland’s unhoused population, recalled that Roakes was “an exceptional person” despite her circumstances. “She was an unhoused person, but she was an exceptional person,” Curran said. “I want people to know that she was loved and she was a wonderful person.”

Roakes also had a patriotic side. During a Fourth of July celebration near the post office, she asked Curran to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to an American flag that hung nearby. That moment, Curran said, illustrated Roakes’s deep appreciation for her country.

The Crash and Investigation

Police spokespeople confirmed that the crash is being treated as a hit‑and‑run investigation. Officer Brad Nadeau said investigators have not yet released additional details about how the collision occurred or whether traffic signals were involved. The department has urged anyone with information—or footage from dashcams, doorbells, or nearby surveillance—to contact detectives at 207‑874‑8575.

The accident marks the second pedestrian fatality in Portland this year and the sixth since the start of 2025. Statistics show that at least half of the deaths involve individuals who were unhoused. Previous cases include the death of Justin Mitchell, who was struck on Riverside Street near the Homeless Services Center in early 2025, and Jason Ayers, 53, who was hit while standing in a median on Preble Street and Marginal Way in June 2026.

Community Response and Safety Initiatives

The tragic loss has reignited discussions about safety along Forest Avenue and other high‑risk corridors. City Councilor Kate Sykes, who represents the district, said she hopes the incident prompts a broader community conversation about how to protect both pedestrians and vulnerable residents. She pointed to the upcoming “housing‑first” development on the former Tortilla Flat site, which is slated to be built by Avesta Housing and Preble Street, as an opportunity to integrate safety measures from the outset.

Existing infrastructure in the area includes a crosswalk near the intersection of Forest Avenue and Riverside Street, but the marking has not been refreshed since new pavement was installed. The Maine Department of Transportation (Maine DOT) is currently conducting roadwork that extends to the Forest‑Riverside intersection. City spokesperson Jessica Grondin clarified that Maine DOT is responsible for repainting crosswalk markings, though investigators have not yet determined whether Roakes was inside the designated crossing at the time of impact.

Portland's Vision Zero program has rolled out several pedestrian‑friendly improvements, including new signal timing along Washington Avenue and recent crosswalk installations following the Mitchell death. However, officials acknowledge that more work is needed, especially in neighborhoods where shelters and housing projects are concentrated.

Personal Impact on a Friend

For Betti Curran, the loss is deeply personal. She had been preparing for their weekly meeting that Saturday, bringing a small surprise—still stored on the front seat of her van—because Roakes was not there. “She was the first person I looked for when I drove up to the park on Saturday,” Curran said. After learning of the crash, she posted on social media expressing concern that Roakes might be missing, later updating friends when she realized the grim reality.

Curran’s weekly visits with Roakes were more than a simple act of kindness; they were a lifeline. “I took her a little surprise every week,” she said, noting that the sketch supplies remained unused this time. Her grief underscores how the community’s most informal support networks can be shattered by a single reckless act.

Looking Ahead

Police continue to canvass the area, reviewing traffic cameras, business surveillance, and any witness statements that might lead to the driver’s identity. Meanwhile, city leaders are weighing new safety recommendations, including possible lighting upgrades, additional crosswalk markings, and enhanced coordination between the Homeless Services Center and law‑enforcement patrols.

As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on honoring Roakes’s memory and preventing future tragedies. Her story, intertwined with the city’s efforts to aid its unhoused residents, has become a rallying point for advocates pushing for comprehensive pedestrian safety reforms.