(Update: Redmond police have provided details about the fatal crash)
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A semi truck driver pulled over to the shoulder of the road on Highway 97 in Redmond on Monday night, got out and attempted to cross five lanes, police said Tuesday. was killed after being hit.
Lieutenant Jesse Peterson said Raymond Police and Fire Rescue crews were dispatched around 7 p.m. to the crash on southbound Highway 97 north of the SW Yew Avenue exit (Milestone 124).
Officials and medical staff tried unsuccessfully to save lives, Peterson said. The driver who hit the pedestrian remained at the scene to cooperate with the investigation.
The lieutenant said initial investigations identified the pedestrian as the driver of a semi-trailer parked on the northbound shoulder of the highway.
“For unknown reasons, the driver got out of the vehicle and attempted to cross five lanes when he was struck by a passenger vehicle in the southbound right lane,” Peterson said at a news conference.
Petersen explained that there were no crosswalks at the site, the area was poorly lit and there was a posted speed limit of 50 mph.
The driver of the semi was not named, but Peterson said he was from out of state.
Southbound Highway 97 was closed for about three hours to investigate, with motorists detouring onto nearby streets. Redmond police were assisted by ODOT Incident Response, Oregon State Police and Bend Police, Peterson said.
During the crash investigation, police officers assisting Bend arrested a driver who attempted to leave the business for DUI after the driver indicated they intended to drive into the area under investigation, Peterson said. The driver is in the Deschutes County Jail in Bend.
ODOT officials said southbound traffic was being detoured onto Odem Medo Road, then Canal Boulevard and Yew Avenue, and motorists were advised to be aware of delays.Lanes reopen around 10pm
“Redmond police and traffic safety experts hope you and your family are safe this holiday season and encourage drivers to slow down and drive consciously,” Peterson said at a news conference. “Pedestrians are reminded to wear light-colored or Reflective clothing and use marked and illuminated crosswalks where possible.
“Redmond Police Department and Oregon Department of Transportation officials also remind commercial motor vehicle drivers not to pull over the shoulder or median and, except in an emergency, to never attempt to cross the highway on foot unless necessary.”
