Two killed as car plows into crowd in restaurant parking lot

Staff reports 6:54


Two killed as car plows into crowd in restaurant parking lot

Mark Schepis ... died in crash (Courtesy)

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story contained a caption with an incorrect name of one of the deceased. We apologize for the error.

EAST WATERBORO, Maine - Two families' regular get-together for breakfast ended tragically on Saturday when a car plowed into the parking lot of a local eatery where they waiting their turn to enter the restaurant.

According to a press release from York County Sheriff William King, deputies responded a little after 9 a.m. to the Cozi Corner Café at 199 Sokokis Trail for two individuals who had been struck by a motor vehicle.

Investigation revealed that Charles Stoddard, 64, of Waterboro was driving a 2003 Oldsmobile Alero north on Sokokis Trail when he veered off the roadway into a parking lot area where people were milling around awaiting their turn to enter the restaurant.

"The vehicle struck the marquee of the restaurant and continued, dispersing patrons awaiting entry," King said.

Mark Schepis, 45, and Luke Stephenson, 12, both of Waterboro, were unable to avoid the vehicle and were pronounced dead at the scene.

Schepis and Stephenson were with their respective families, and the families knew each other and had gathered while waiting to enter the restaurant.

Stoddard's vehicle continued and struck a 2010 Ford F-150 driven and owned by Mark Tuttle of Porter, deploying the truck's air bags. Porter was not injured.

Stoddard was transported to Southern Maine Medical Center where he was treated and released.

The crash is being reconstructed by officers with the Saco and Old Orchard Beach Police Departments.

The reconstruction and investigation will continue, King said.