Redmond pedestrian hit, killed by semi identified

Oregon State Police on Tuesday identified a 34-year-old Redmond man who was struck and killed by a semi truck Sunday night as he walked or ran onto Highway 97 at the south end of Redmond.

Paul David Donlan was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision, which was reported around 9:12 p.m. Sunday in the 2400 block of S. Highway 97, in a busy commercial area south of Veterans Way that includes Madeline’s Restaurant, Motel 6 and a nearby 76 gas station.

OSP Lt. Gregg Hastings said a semi truck pulling two trailers and driven by Jason M. Johnson, 37, of Moxee, Wash., was heading south on the highway near milepost 122.

Donlan, a pedestrian, was walking toward the highway on the east side “when he reportedly moved quickly into the southbound lane,” Hastings said.

Johnson tried to steer clear of Donlan, the trooper said, but the front of the truck’s second trailer struck and fatally injured him.

Donlan was pronounced dead at the scene, troopers said.

The crash shut the highway in both directions for a time, as detours were put in place. It remained closed for several hours during the investigation.

Johnson stopped and was interviewed by police, who also talked with several other drivers and witnesses in the area at the time.

OSP also was assisted at the scene by Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies, Redmond Fire and ODOT.