Climate change activist walking barefoot across US hit, killed by SUV

Mark Baumer, 33, struck by SUV in Florida

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. – A Maine native who was walking barefoot across the United States to raise awareness about climate change was struck and killed on a Florida highway, officials said.

Police said Mark Baumer, 33, was walking along the shoulder of U.S. Highway 90 in Walton County on Sunday when a driver lost control and hit him. Baumer was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Baumer was also raising money for a Rhode Island nonprofit group called the FANG Collective that opposes the natural gas industry. FANG stands for Fighting Against Natural Gas.

The group wrote on Facebook that Baumer was a "talented poet and artist with an ability to tap into the human experience with his work."

Baumer had raised more than $14,000 since he started his journey on Oct. 13.

Police said the SUV driver faces charges.