One dead after car drives onto Little League baseball field in Maine

SANFORD, Maine (AP) — Police say a car careened onto a Maine field during a boys’ baseball game, striking and killing a man.

Sanford police say bystanders and ballplayers scattered when the car drove through an open gate at Goodall Park onto the field Friday night.

Sixty-eight-year-old West Newfield resident Douglas Parkhurst was hit. He died on the way to the hospital.

The car at one point struck a closed gate, sped toward the main gate and struck Parkhurst before speeding from the scene.

Police charged 51-year-old Carol Sharrow with manslaughter. She remained in York Couty Jail on Saturday.

Efforts to contact an attorney for Sharrow were unsuccessful.

A Facebook post from Sanford Maine Little League encouraged community members to support the boys and help them return to their field safely Sunday.

The statement: 

"Good evening everyone, as you are all aware by now our baseball community was struck by tragedy tonight. We want to share our heartfelt gratitude that physically all of the players from Babe Ruth and Little League are safe and our deep sorrow to the family of the brave man that gave his life tonight protecting others. Two of our Minor Boy teams that witnessed this event tonight will play a doubleheader tomorrow morning at LL Park starting at 9am. We encourage any community members that can make it, players to come with their jerseys on, to come support these 8,9&10 years olds. Let’s come together to show community pride and help these boys feel safe to return to their beloved field."