Andrews “Andy” Tolman, pictured at right performing with the Open Book Players earlier this year, was killed Tuesday night when he was struck by a vehicle while crossing Route 17 in Readfield, according to police. The incident is under investigation, though police say speed and impairment do not appear to be factors. Submitted photo

READFIELD — Andrews “Andy” Tolman, an active member of the Readfield community, was struck and killed by a pickup truck Tuesday evening while crossing Route 17 on foot, police said.

Tolman, 76, tripped and fell in the eastbound lane when he left a Readfield Historical Society meeting — where he was the vice president — just after 6 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Maine State Police. The driver of a 2021 Dodge Ram 5500 pickup truck traveling east on Route 17 in front of the historical society building did not see Tolman lying in the road, striking and killing him.

The Readfield Fire Department and Winthrop EMS responded to the scene, and state police are investigating the accident. Speed and impairment do not appear to be factors, state police said.

Portions of Route 17 were closed for about two-and-a-half hours Tuesday evening while state police reconstructed the scene, Readfield Fire Chief Lee Mank said. When crews responded, he said, it was almost completely dark — sunset Tuesday in Readfield was at 5:43 p.m.

The Readfield Historical Society posted a photo of the board, including Tolman, Wednesday morning on Facebook, thanking Tolman for his service to the group.

“We have been a small but mighty group in a great part due to the efforts and support of Andy Tolman and we will always be so grateful for him,” the post said.

In addition to his work at the Readfield Historical Society, Tolman was the treasurer of the 30 Mile River Watershed Association and served as the chairperson of the town of Readfield’s budget and cemetery committees. He often performed in local musical theater shows, including “Reading Rumpus” in Gardiner in September and “Guys and Dolls” in Monmouth last April.

Bob Harris, the president of the historical society, said Tolman could have been “Mr. Readfield” because he knew so much about the town and served on so many committees over his 50 years living there. He described Tolman as quiet, thoughtful and easily likable.

“He knew a little bit about everything,” Harris said. “You wanted to wrap him up, but he used to call some of these old guys who knew all about everything. He’d only been here 50 years, but he knew just about everything that was going on in Readfield.”

Harris said Tolman was walking across Route 17 Tuesday evening to get in his beloved red 1992 Mazda Miata convertible and drive to a practice of CODA Chorus in Winthrop, a group he had long been a part of. Harris said Tolman drove the Miata everywhere, and often waved to friends he drove past while the top was down.

Other community members also took to Facebook on Wednesday to remember Tolman.

“There is a great vortex of grief, confusion and frustration happening in my beloved town of Readfield this morning,” former Select Board Chairperson Dennis Price posted. “When a bright light goes out, you cannot help but wonder how something so selfless, kind, and compassionate could ever be dimmed?”