The family of former Deering High School basketball player Patrick Lobor, who died after collapsing Saturday afternoon at the scene of a traffic accident in Portland, said Sunday morning they had been told little about the circumstances of his death.

Lobor, 22, was driving one of three vehicles involved in the 1:30 p.m. crash, which occurred when a vehicle struck two others stopped at a light on Brighton Avenue at the intersection with Riverside Street. Portland Police said Lobor got out of his car, stumbled to the middle of the intersection and collapsed. He was found dead by first responders.

Patrick Lobor

An autopsy was to be performed Sunday morning by the Maine Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause of death. The results of that autopsy were unavailable Sunday evening.

At least two people stopped to help Lobor, but police have been unable to locate them, Lt. Robert Martin, a spokesman for the Portland Police Department, told News Center Maine (WCSH/WLBZ). Martin said those individuals may have witnessed the crash.

“We believe there are at least two more witnesses who could provide us with crucial information to determine what happened,” Martin told the television station.

Martin said in an email that the police department would have more information to release Monday regarding the cause of death and circumstances.

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Lobor’s father, Robert Lobor, said he arrived home on Munjoy Hill Saturday afternoon to find a crowd outside his house, and police informed him of his son’s death.

A SECOND SON LOST

On Sunday morning, friends and family dropped by as the Lobors mourned their son, the second to die an untimely death. Patrick Lobor’s brother, Richard Lobor, was shot in the head and died at age 23 on Nov. 21, 2014, at an apartment at 214 Brighton Ave.

A Portland man, Abdirahman Huessin Haji-Hassan, was found guilty in December 2016 of murdering Richard Lobor. Haji-Hassan fled to Minneapolis after the shooting, but was arrested and returned to Maine to face trial.

Robert Lobor described Patrick as quiet and decent. He said his son taught his two younger brothers to play basketball as well.

At 6 feet, 5 inches tall, he was a multisport athlete in basketball and football at Deering High School, where he helped lead his team to a basketball state championship in 2012. He was a center on the 2016-17 Southern Maine Community College Sea Wolves basketball team and studied health sciences at the community college, according to the Sea Wolves website. His father said he worked at a South Portland hotel.

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“He was a good boy, very decent, very quiet. I love him so,” said Robert Lobor.

Robert Lobor speaks about his son Patrick, 22, who died Saturday following an auto accident. “He was a good boy, very decent,” he said.

Lobor and his wife, Christina Marring, also have two daughters. The family are Sudanese refugees who came to Portland in 2004. Christians in a mainly Muslim country, the Lobors left Sudan during the second civil war in the East African nation. Their home is filled with basketball plaques won by their sons and photos of their family.

Todd Wing, Deering High basketball coach, said Lobor was a big and strong player who was always extremely polite.

“He was very reserved. On the court he didn’t show a lot of emotion. He led by example, always said ‘please,’ always said ‘thank you,’ ” said Wing.

Wing said Lobor was a pleasure to be around.

“He was the type of kid who would walk by you and give you a big smile. He had a quick wit about him,” said Wing, who was his assistant coach for three years and head coach during Lobor’s senior year in 2014.

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Wing said it was obvious that Lobor had helped his younger brothers with their basketball skills. His brother Anthony played on the team until he graduated in 2016. His youngest brother, William, is headed for the varsity squad as an incoming freshman this fall.

‘PATRICK BROUGHT SMILES’

Wing last saw Lobor about three weeks ago when the 22-year-old came to watch William play in a summer league game.

“We chatted briefly. He said he was doing well. He had a big smile and a firm handshake. Everything seemed normal and to be going well,” said Wing.

Deering Athletics, a Twitter account which serves as a social media connection for Deering High School athletes, expressed sorrow for Lobor’s family.

“Our hearts are heavy. Another life lost too soon. Patrick brought smiles and love to so many. He is missed and we are reminded to lean on one another during these times. RAM family … Always. RIP our brother,” Deering Athletics tweeted.

Police released few details about the crash, which caused minor injuries to two people in one of the other vehicles. They were treated at a hospital and released. A third vehicle operator was not hurt. Police have not released their names.

Portland police ask that anyone who witnessed the crash call police at 874-8575.

 

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