Lebanon, ME (September 7, 2026) – A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on Saturday evening at the 4×4 Proving Grounds along Carl Broggi Highway in Lebanon. It happened around 7:28 p.m. The 4×4 Proving Grounds is an off-road recreational park in this York County town near the New Hampshire border.
EMS crews were still clearing an earlier call at the same site when they were sent to respond to this second incident, according to initial reports. No further details about the extent of the injuries or the cause of the wreck were immediately available.
We hope for a full recovery for the pedestrian.
Why Are Off-Road Parks Riskier for Pedestrians?
Off-road recreational parks bring together a mix of vehicles, spectators, and pedestrians moving through the same general space, which can create unique safety challenges compared with a typical roadway. Visibility can be limited by dust, uneven terrain, or parked vehicles, making it harder for a driver to spot someone on foot nearby.
When emergency crews are already responding to one call at a location and a second incident occurs nearby, it can strain the resources available on scene, sometimes requiring additional units from neighboring towns. This kind of overlapping response is more likely at large events or busy recreational sites where many people gather in a confined area.
Pedestrian strikes involving off-road vehicles can result in a wide range of injuries depending on the vehicle’s size and speed at the time of contact. Even a low-speed encounter with a larger vehicle, like a truck built for off-road use, can cause significant harm given the height and weight difference involved.
