Man killed in ODOT lawn mower accident ID’d

(Update: Adding man’s name)

CAMAS VALLEY, Ore. (AP) — Authorities say a man who was sleeping in some grass along a southwest Oregon highway was killed when he was hit by a state employee mowing in the area.

Oregon State Police say emergency personnel and police responded at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday to a medical call near Camas Valley on Oregon Highway 42.

Police say preliminary investigation shows that a state Department of Transportation employee was mowing next to the eastbound shoulder of the road and hit a man who was believed to be sleeping in the grass.

Employees and then first responders attempted first aid, but the man died at the scene. He was identified by OSP on Wednesday as Keith Ericson, 49, with last known addresses in Rapid City, South Dakota and Santa Monica, California.