A 28-year-old man from Maine died after being hit by a vehicle while riding his electric unicycle in Augusta on Halloween afternoon.
Johnathan Bauer was riding in Augusta at around 3.20pm on October 31 when he was struck by an oncoming vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene due to his injuries, with emergency response staff present and police warning residents to be cautious in the area.
Driver identified, no arrests made
The driver of the other vehicle was identified as Rhysonne Bishop, a 26-year-old from Mississippi, according to the Daily Mail. Bishop was uninjured in the crash, and authorities have not made any arrests but are investigating.
Police have asked for anyone with information to come forward, with Augusta’s deputy chief of police, Jesse Brann, confirming the investigation might take some time.
Family fundraiser and legal context
Bauer’s family launched a fundraiser to pay for funeral expenses and other costs, raising over $1,000 of the $3,000 goal within hours.
“Our family has experienced the sudden passing of our beloved son on Halloween,” they wrote. “We are struggling to cover the unexpected costs and need to find a way to get back east.” They described the death as “heart-wrenching,” while his sister Natashia said she “can’t believe this is real.”
Maine laws allow motorised bicycles or tricycles to be driven on public streets but make no mention of unicycles, which are ridden standing upright. Electric unicycles usually have a max speed of around 20mph, although some models can reach up to 93mph. Authorities have not shared which model Bauer was riding at the time of the crash.
