Investigation of Oregon Pedestrian Accident Death on Interstate 84 Underway
Oregon State Police are still investigating the death of a pedestrian who was trying to cross Interstate 84 in the Hood River, Oregon area.
Oregon State Police news releases report that at approximately 1:20am on January 20, a 2009 white truck pulling a semi-trailer of paper products was being driven east by Jeff D. Rainey, age 38 of Washougal, Washington. Rainey, who was driving for Gardner Trucking Inc. of Chino, California, was passing through a highway work zone near milepost 63 on Interstate 84, which reportedly was dark and unlit with just one lane of travel.
After climbing over a 3 foot high barrier in the highway work zone and trying to cross the traffic lane, Ramiro Najera-Cervantes, age 48 of Parkdale, Oregon was struck and killed by Rainey’s truck. He was pronounced deceased at the scene; Rainey was not injured.
There is no indication that Oregon State Police will cite Rainey, or that alcohol played any part in this accident.
What a terrible tragedy for Mr. Najera-Cervantes’ friends and family. Our thoughts and prayers will be with them as they mourn their huge loss. We sincerely hope that they receive the assistance they will need to get through the rough period ahead.
Oregon law generally sides with the pedestrian in traffic accidents, but as with everything in the law, there are exceptions. If the pedestrian was wearing dark clothes and it was dark, or darts out unexpectedly into the roadway, the law may side with the driver. All cases differ, so be sure to contact an Oregon pedestrian accident attorney if you have any questions about your case.
