Sunny Stutzman, Storyteller

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

Sunny Stutzman grew up on his parents’ farm in Sangerville, Maine. Sunny’s father, Sid, was also a musician and song-writer, and the pair formed the “Doughty Hill Band,” which still performs and records. The band also features Sunny’s wife, Tracy, and Brian Smith. Sunny, though he carries on his parents’ love of farm life and music, did not follow in their footsteps and become a farmer. Instead, after completing a BA at the University of Maine-Farmington, he earned a graduate degree in Industrial Design from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. He returned to Maine, worked in product development for Dexter Shoe and Moosehead Manufacturing before establishing Sunny Skies Design, which he currently owns.