OSP identifies Bend man, 75, struck and killed by semi-truck in southbound lanes of Bend Parkway
(Update: OSP releases crash victim's name, details)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A 75-year-old Bend pedestrian was struck and killed by a semi-truck Wednesday night in the southbound left-hand lane of the Bend Parkway, Oregon State Police said Thursday.
OSP troopers and other first responders were dispatched around 8:23 p.m. to the crash near milepost 139 and the Reed Market Road overpass.
A preliminary investigation indicated a southbound Freightliner and trailer, operated by a 34-year-old Tracy, California man struck a pedestrian identified as James Ray Carter, 75, of Bend. He died at the scene, OSP said, and the truck driver reportedly was uninjured.
The highway was closed or affected by the crash and investigation for about four hours. OSP said the cause of the crash was under investigation.
OSP was assisted by Bend Police, Bend Fire & Rescue, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies and ODOT.
Around 9:15 p.m., ODOT advised that southbound U.S. Highway 97 was closed near Reed Market Road at milepost 139.
"A detour is in place, follow signs," the traffic alert said. "Expect delays."
The lanes reopened shortly before midnight
Preliminary ODOT data through Thursday indicates there have been 96 reported traffic fatalities in Oregon so far this year, including 22 pedestrians, four cyclists, five motorcyclists, 65 crashes involving motor vehicles and 23 related to commercial motor vehicles.
