Vt. man, grandson hit and killed by SUV while standing in Maine yard

SANFORD, Maine (WCAX) – Police say a Vermont man and his grandson were killed when they were hit by an SUV in Maine.

It happened on Wednesday at about 4 p.m. in Sanford.

Michael Gilbar, 65, of Jericho, and his grandson, Joseph Perry, 15, were standing in a yard when an SUV veered off the road and hit them. The teen was pronounced dead at the scene. Gilbar died at the airport while waiting to be airlifted to a hospital.

The driver was taken to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

Police say the cause of the crash is still under investigation and no charges have been filed. They have not yet released the name of the driver.

In a letter to the community, Mount Mansfield Union High School Principal Mike Weston said Perry was going into his sophomore year at the school. Weston wrote: “Joe was an integral part of our school community. He brought enthusiasm, kindness, and a positive spirit to every interaction, and his absence will be felt profoundly.”

Weston said the school will be open Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for students to gather to remember Perry. Counselors will be on hand to speak with grieving students. He urged students or parents having significant issues with this loss to contact their medical provider or First Call of Vermont at 802-488-7777.

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