The man who identifies himself as the driver that Maine State Police Detective Benjamin Campbell stopped to help last week has written a heartfelt post on Facebook.
Detective Benjamin Campbell Photo courtesy of Maine State Police
Campbell was struck last Wednesday morning by a tire that fell off a logging truck. He later died at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.
The motorist, whose car had skidded off the road due to slippery road conditions on Interstate 95 in Hampden, describes in vivid detail his brief encounter with Campbell and his impressions of the trooper who risked his life to help a stranded motorist.
Responding to some confusion over his identity, “Ved Lok” posted a clarification on his Facebook page Monday morning that reads, “I’d like to clear this up. My legal name is Robert J. Anthony Jr. Ved Lok is my personal display name.”
On Sunday evening, Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety, issued a statement in which he identified the stranded motorist whom Campbell stopped to help as 26-year-old Robert John Anthony of Clifton.
McCausland said he did not know if Anthony authored the Facebook post. Several attempts to reach Anthony over the past several days have been unsuccessful.
About five hours after the April 3 accident, Anthony posted this message on his Facebook page: “I was the vehicle that this trooper was assisting. I saw everything and remember most of it (I was knocked out for a second due to my airbag having suddenly been deployed against my head). I will never forget his face, ever. For as long as I live, I will carry the memory of the smiling officer who was just there to help.”
Here is the post that went up on Anthony’s Facebook page at 1:38 a.m. April 4.
“Dear Detective Ben Campbell.
Today, I lost control of my car and did a 180 on I-95 South. I was shaken up, but otherwise fine. I called 911 and requested help in getting turned around on the busy highway.
You stopped to help me. You took my ID as per the standard. You came back to return it. You wore one of the warmest smiles I’ve ever seen. A smile that, without words, could give the world a moment of peace were it to look upon. I honestly felt safer in that moment as you stood by my drivers side window.
That changed. In a split second, I saw your smile turn to the briefest shade of concern as a logging semi came over the hill, before a tire came into my peripheral vision.
I blacked out. My first and only thought upon waking up was “I’ve died, haven’t I?” I couldn’t see anything but bright white light. Then my ears began ringing. I was able to open my eyes. My glasses partly crushed as I lifted my head before they fell off. My airbag had deployed. You weren’t beside me anymore…
I stumbled out of my car, moving to the other side of the guard rail to avoid anything else hitting me.
That’s when I saw you. Two tires had fallen off the truck. One struck my car, the other struck you.
Out of breath and still dizzy, I came to your side, pleading for you to wake up. You responded with a sound so haunting, I don’t dare describe it out of respect.
My mind raced. It had been years since I had any formal CPR training, and I was afraid that if I touched you without knowing just how bad you might be hurt, I’d just make it worse. I began waving and jumping up and down at oncoming traffic, desperately trying to get others to stop and help.
I leaned over you as another trooper and the driver of the semi came to help.
I looked into your eyes
You looked back
And then… You were gone…
The news reports said you died in the hospital, but I knew in that moment, it was over…
I should have died twice today. I survived a high-speed spinout. When death came for me a second time, you were there. You traded your life for mine in the line of duty.
I vow for as long as I live, I will never forget your smile. I will never forget your kindness. I will never forget your sacrifice.
I owe you a debt I don’t think I can repay.
Rest in peace. May your soul find tranquility.”
Dennis Hoey can be contacted at 791-6365 or at:
dhoey@pressherald.com
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