Incident Description

On the morning of October 1, 2026, Maine Wire reporter Joe Sokol was conducting reporting from public property near the Bangor Comprehensive Treatment Center (also known as Discovery House BR Inc.) at 689 Odlin Road when a confrontation occurred with a driver.

According to The Maine Wire, the driver of a Jeep Compass recognized Sokol as a journalist and confronted him in an apparent effort to interfere with his work. Editor-in-Chief Steve Robinson stated that the driver then attempted to strike Sokol with the vehicle. Sokol moved out of the path, was not injured, and recorded the license plate, which was provided to police.

The outlet released video of the interaction and characterized the incident as an attempted killing. Bangor police responded and are investigating. Robinson said the organization would fully cooperate and noted concerns that the driver may have been intoxicated.

The incident follows earlier physical confrontations involving Maine Wire journalists this year, including prior assaults that resulted in relatively light outcomes such as apology requirements.

Sources
https://www.themainewire.com/2026/10/breaking-driver-accused-of-trying-to-run-down-maine-wire-reporter-outside-bangor-methadone-clinic/
https://x.com/TheMaineWire/status/2105661052662775911