Journalist Nearly Hit by Vehicle While Reporting Outside Maine Methadone Clinic

A journalist from The Maine Wire was reporting outside a Bangor methadone clinic Thursday morning when a driver in a Jeep allegedly accelerated towards him at high speed, narrowly missing him. The incident occurred shortly after the driver confronted the reporter, Joe Sokol, accusing him of invading people's privacy.

Sokol was positioned on public property near the Bangor Comprehensive Treatment Center on Odlin Road when the confrontation began. Video footage shows the driver of a blue Jeep Compass speaking to Sokol through the rolled-down window, questioning his presence with a camera. Sokol asked if he could do anything, to which the man chuckled and appeared to drive away.

Approximately 20 seconds later, the Jeep returned and sped directly at Sokol, who quickly moved out of the way. His reporting equipment was knocked over by the vehicle's passage. Sokol was unharmed, according to The Maine Wire.

The Bangor Police Department confirmed it is investigating the incident but declined to provide further details due to the ongoing probe. The Maine Wire has stated that the driver identified Sokol as a journalist and demonstrated a clear intent to stop his reporting from public property. The outlet has labeled the event an attempted killing and stated it will pursue justice for Sokol.

Following the alleged near-miss, Sokol spoke with an unidentified woman near the clinic, stating, "Your patient just tried to run me over." The woman urged Sokol to "get off the property" and did not directly address the alleged attempt. Sokol was at the clinic to "ask questions," according to a statement from The Maine Wire.

The Bangor Comprehensive Treatment Center provides outpatient treatment for opioid addiction and receives substantial Medicaid payments. The Maine Wire has described the center as a "taxpayer funded drug dealing operation."