Madras woman struck, killed crossing Portland-area street

A Madras woman was struck by an SUV and killed late Wednesday night while attempting to cross 82nd Avenue in Clackamas, southeast of Portland, Oregon State Police reported.

Troopers and emergency personnel responded around 11 p.m. to the reported collision on state Highway 213 (82nd Avenue) at Southeast Overland Street, said OSP Capt. Bill Fugate.

A preliminary investigation revealed a pedestrian, Vernita M. Adams, 61, of Madras, was trying to cross the highway when she was struck by a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe. Adams was pronounced deceased at the scene, Fugate said.

The driver of the SUV, William E. Jones Jr., 52, of Portland, was unhurt and is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation, the captain said.

The northbound lanes of 82nd Avenue were closed for several hours while the investigation was underway. OSP was assisted by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon Department of Transportation. More information will be released when it becomes available, Fugate said..

Adams’ daughter, Leora Strong, said her mother was a member of the Warm Springs tribe and leaves behind two children and two grandchildren.

“She was a skilled beadworker who crafted very often,” Strong told NewsChannel 21.