Conservative Reporter Narrowly Avoids Being Hit by Car After Confrontation Outside Bangor Clinic

A reporter for the conservative outlet The Maine Wire says he was nearly struck by a vehicle after a verbal exchange with a driver while reporting outside the Bangor Comprehensive Treatment Center in Bangor, Maine.

What Happened

Video shared by The Maine Wire shows reporter Joe Sokol speaking with a man in a dark-blue Jeep Compass near the clinic, which provides outpatient treatment for opioid use disorder. The driver can be heard accusing Sokol of "invading people's privacy" while Sokol replies that he was working in a public space with a camera.

After a brief back-and-forth, the driver pulls away. Seconds later the same vehicle returns and accelerates across a grassy bank toward the spot where Sokol is standing, knocking his camera to the ground. The Maine Wire posted that Sokol was uninjured and preserved an image of the Jeep's license plate, which was passed to police.

Responses And Recordings

The Maine Wire posted on X: "some lunatic just tried to murder our reporter," and said it had "the entire chilling interaction" on camera.

Steve Robinson, editor-in-chief of The Maine Wire, said Sokol was identified as a journalist during the exchange and credited the reporter's training and quick thinking for preserving the license-plate image. Robinson described the episode as "attempted murder" and said the outlet has asked police to consider whether intoxicating substances played a role.

The Maine Wire also published an audio recording it says contains a phone call with the man it believes was driving. In that recording the caller denied trying to run anyone over, calling the allegation a "crock of s***," and said he had "backed in, turned around [and] drove across the grass." He later acknowledged he is a patient at the clinic and had planned to pick up medication.

Investigation And Context

Local reporting and The Maine Wire say the Bangor Police Department is investigating. Newsweek attempted to contact the Bangor Police Department outside regular business hours and was awaiting comment.

The Bangor Comprehensive Treatment Center describes its services online as outpatient medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for adults with opioid use disorder, combining medication with counseling.

The Maine Wire also noted earlier incidents involving its reporters in July, including an alleged skateboard attack and slashed tires following anti-ICE demonstrations.

Current Status

Authorities are reviewing the video and the license-plate information provided by The Maine Wire. No criminal charges had been announced publicly at the time of the report. The account above reflects claims made by The Maine Wire and statements from the person it identified as the driver; those claims remain subject to police investigation.