Old Orchard Beach police still investigating Dec. 17 hit-and-run accident

OLD ORCHARD BEACH — The victim of a hit-and-run accident remains hospitalized, and family members hope a police investigation can result in some answers.

On Dec. 17, rescue personnel responded to a call a shortly after 9:30 p.m. of a man lying unresponsive at the intersection of Ross Road and Camelot Circle. The man, Jeffery Stout, 44, was taken by ambulance to Maine Medical Center, where, according to family members, he remains.

Police are actively investigating the Dec. 17 accident and are still requesting the public’s assistance with any information or observations regarding the incident, said Deputy Police Chief David Hemingway. Hemingway said police have spoken to several witnesses who passed through the area around the time of the accident and are following up on the information.

Jeffrey Stout is originally from Florida and had moved to Old Orchard Beach in early 2021 for a job installing solar panels, according to his sister, Danielle Stout. He recently got laid off from his job, but he loves living in Maine, she said.

At the time of the accident, Jeffrey was walking home after watching a Dolphins game.

“He loves the Dolphins. If he missed a Dolphins game I’d be surprised,” said Danielle.

Danielle came up to Maine from Florida soon after she heard about the accident and has been at the hospital daily. She said Jeffrey is one of six children, and they are a close-knit family.

Jeffrey suffered many injuries, including a broken nose and jaw, three broken ribs, a fractured elbow and leg, and lacerations and road rash that will require skin grafts and several surgeries, according to his family. He also lost most of his teeth and the majority of his right ear. Miraculously, he has no brain damage, and other than his skin, no organ damage, said Danielle.

“He’s in good hands here, and we’re just going to take it day by day,” said Danielle. “He’s going to be here awhile. We're very hopeful he's going to pull through this."

She said the family is thankful for the good Samaritans who stopped on the night of the Dec. 17 when they saw Jeffrey and stayed with him until help could arrive. The family is also thankful for the quick response of the Old Orchard Beach fire department and the paramedics who arrived on scene.

“Without question – they saved his life,” she said. "Nobody should be left on the side of the road like that."

They are also grateful for the police who are continuing to investigate the incident, and urge anyone with any information on the accident to contact the Old Orchard Beach police department.

Jeffrey Stout’s family has set up a Go Fund me page to raise money for his medical expenses.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.