OSP identifies Nevada pedestrian struck, killed by semi-truck on Hwy. 97 north of Madras
(Update: OSP releases victim's name, details of crash)
MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) – Oregon State Police on Monday released the name of a 21-year-old Nevada man who was struck and killed by a semi-truck last week while crossing Highway 97 on foot north of Madras.
Troopers responded just before midnight last Thursday to the reported vehicle-pedestrian crash on the highway near milepost 85, about 10 miles north of Madras.
A preliminary investigation determined Keanu Rhune Blumenthal, 21, of Carson City, Nevada, was crossing the highway when he was hit by a northbound commercial motor vehicle and trailer operated by a 65-year-old male driver from The Dalles.
Blumenthal died at the scene of the crash, OSP said. The truck driver was uninjured.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, troopers said.
The highway was affected for about two hours during the on-scene investigation involving OSP’s Collision Reconstruction Unit.
OSP was assisted at the crash scene by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
ODOT was called to the scene for traffic control, Region 4 Public Information Officer Kacey Davey said. One lane of traffic reopened around 2 a.m. and the highway was fully reopened before 3 a.m.
