Oregon Personal Injury Blog - Automobile Accidents

Pedestrian Crosswalk Death Highlights Nighttime Dangers and Safety

Josh Shulman — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:38:00 GMT

A horrific pedestrian accident a few days ago in Portland serves as a grim reminder of the importance for drivers to pay extra attention once the sun sets and for pedestrians to use extreme caution while crossing the street at night - even in well-marked crosswalks. And with the recent time change, rush hour falls on some of the most dangerous hours to drive. There are more people - drivers and pedestrians alike - and therefore more chances for something like this to happen. The tragedy also showcases the need for cities to be sure their streets and intersections are well-lit to help keep their populations safe.

According to Portland's NewsChannel 8:

Two women were hit by a car and one of them died as they tried to walk across a crosswalk in Southeast Portland on Sunday night, Nov. 2, 2009. Police said the crosswalk was clearly marked but the driver did not see the pedestrians in the dark.

The women were thrown onto the car’s windshield when they were struck. Police said 23-year-old Lindsay Leonard was killed in the crash and her 29-year-old roommate, Jessica Finlay, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

People who live nearby said the intersection was poorly lit and it’s always been a dangerous place to cross the street at night.

It is so sad and unfortunate that something as simple as crossing a crosswalk could be fatal, but the tragic truth is that accidents like this happen all too often, especially in poorly lit areas like this one at night. There are many cases of late-night pedestrian accidents in Oregon, like the case of the drunk man who hit two teenagers crossing their city's only crosswalk during halftime of the local football game. In fact, 54% of pedestrian deaths recorded in 2003 happened between the hours of 4 pm and midnight, when it is hardest for drivers to see people in the road.

Thankfully, there are simple safety precautions both drivers and pedestrians can follow to help ensure that our roads stay safe.

Drivers:

-Pedestrians do not always cross at crosswalks, so always be on the lookout for people in the road.

-Be especially careful if it is dark or the weather is rough, it may be harder to see pedestrians.

-Always drive the speed limit, especially in urban areas or near crosswalks, in case you have to stop quickly to avoid a collision.

- If you are attempting to turn onto a new street, watch for pedestrians crossing into your intended path.

-Be careful around school areas, since children are less likely to understand and follow safe pedestrian behavior.

-DO NOT drink and drive, or do anything to impair your ability to be a safe driver.

-In general: PAY ATTENTION

Pedestrians:

-Walk in areas where drivers can anticipate you. Choose crosswalk areas and sidewalks over freeways or restricted zones when at all possible. Also, obey traffic signals.

-If you must walk on the road, walk facing traffic, so that you can see the vehicles coming toward you.

-Dress in light or reflective colors, especially at night, to make it easier for drivers to see you.

-Always be aware of your surroundings, and be very cautious when crossing large highways or high-speed roads.

-Don't assume that a driver sees you, always err on the side of safety.

-Do not drink alcohol if you are planning on walking anywhere; alcohol affects your judgment and reaction time just as it affects someone who is driving a car.

The state of Oregon has laws in place to help reduce the number of pedestrian accidents that occur in the state every year. These laws mandate that drivers stop and remain stopped for pedestrians crossing at intersections and traffic lights until the pedestrians have cleared a safe area around the vehicle.

These laws should help crack down on irresponsible drivers, and will hopefully make pedestrian deaths a thing of the past.

Members of the community should also be active in making neighborhoods safer. If there is an intersection that you think is unsafe, report it. And don't be afraid to repeatedly address the problem. Get your neighbors involved. Volunteer your time and money, too, if you feel it is important enough to have a safe neighborhood. Be a community of action.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Josh Shulman

Portland Officer Injured In Crash During Taping Of The TV Show COPS

Chrissie Cole — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:14:00 GMT

A Portland police officer was injured in a car crash during taping of the TV show “COPS.”

The accident happened Tuesday night when a vehicle crossed the center line at the intersection of SE 136th Ave. and Stark Street and struck Officer Ruppel's police cruiser head-on, according to Portland police.

Ruppel and two members of the show’s product crew were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The driver, Robert King, 53, suffered minor injuries.

"COPS" has been in Portland the last six weeks filming for upcoming shows on Portland police, according to Detective Mary Wheat.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Car Crashes Into Portland Home Injuring Two

Chrissie Cole — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 14:39:00 GMT

A car struck a power pole and then a house in Portland Sunday, sending two people to the hospital.

The car crash occurred at the intersection of Southeast 162 Avenue and Taggart Street. According to police, two people were inside the vehicle traveling north on 162 Ave when the driver – traveling about 80 mph in a 40 mph zone – lost control and struck the pole and then the house.

The driver and passenger, 16, were taken to the hospital where they are both being treated in the ICU.

There were people inside the home when the accident occurred, but no one was hurt.

Wayne Louie, who lives across the street from the crash scene, said the wreck didn't come as a surprise.

"I've lived here two years and there have been two accidents just in this corner right here," Louie said.

Police say alcohol does not appear to be a factor.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Two Teens Die in Oregon Car Accident

Jenny Albano — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:33:51 GMT

Two teenagers from Roseburg, Oregon died on Friday, March 28 after the car they were riding in swerved off the road, hit an electrical pole, hit a tree, and then flipped over. The 15-year-old driver, Jacob Gonzales, of the 1995 Toyota Camry is in serious condition after the car accident and another passenger was already treated and released from the hospital.

Gonzales failed to negotiate a corner and the vehicle left the road near Goedeck Avenue. The driver's side of the vehicle swiped an electrical pole and then spun around and hit a fir tree. The vehicle knocked the tree down and the car flipped upside down.

Both Rachel Merrell, 17, and Anthony Nickels, 15, both of Roseburg, were pronounced dead on the scene and Gonzales was flown to Legacy Emanuel Hospital & Health Center, where he was listed in serious condition Saturday afternoon. Sarah Sitton, 16, of Sutherlin, was treated at Mercy Medical Center where she has been released.

The electrical pole damage caused local homes to lose power until workers were able to replace the pole.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Car and Train Collide Because of Text-Messaging Driver

Jenny Albano — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:14:10 GMT

An Oregon man crashed into a freight train on Tuesday, October 16 at around 2 a.m. The driver, Robert Gillespie, and the crew on-board the train were not seriously injured.

Gillespie told rescue workers that he was using his cell phone to send a text message while they were trying to release him from the demolished vehicle. He has been charged with drunken driving and careless driving. It is also believed that Gillespie was driving over the 35mph speed limit at the time of the accident.

Gillespie stated that once he looked up after completing his text message he finally saw the freight train. Apparently he tried to slam on the brakes at the last minute, but it was too late.

Text messaging or using cell phones while driving is very dangerous, and can cause the driver to not concentrate on the road. This accident is just another example of how distracting cell phone use while driving really is.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Deputy Injured in Rollover Accident

Christina Cole — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 16:45:44 GMT

A Polk County Sheriff's Deputy was involved in a car accident today that left him with minor injuries when his patrol car tried to avoid another vehicle and ended up rolling into a field several times.

The Deputy was taken to Salem Memorial Hospital where he was treated and released. He was traveling north on U.S.99 with his lights flashing and siren on, pursuing a vehicle many miles ahead that was cutting across the center line.

Drivers pulled off to the right side of the road so the deputy could pass, when one car hit its brakes pulling the patrol car into the path, said the sheriff's office. The deputy swerved to avoid being hit and in the process lost control of his car and landed in a field after rolling over several times.

The patrol car was totaled but the good news is the deputy is fine. The accident is still being investigated by Oregon State Police.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Christina Cole

Man Crashes into Tree, Charged with DUI

Christina Cole — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 16:35:29 GMT

Oregon State Police is charging a Depoe Bay man with driving under the influence after he crashed his car into a tree on Highway 18, just west of Grand Ronde.

The 54-year-old man suffered minor injuries when his car veered off the eastbound shoulder of the road and crashed into a tree. The accident happened on Sunday at 3:18p.m.

Witnesses saw the driver of the car was driving erratically prior to the crash and tried to help. The driver asked for a ride to try and avoid the Police being called. When none of the witnesses agreed, the man walked off, said police.

When troopers arrived on the scene, the man could not be found. A little over an hour later, troopers found him hiding in a ditch under some bushes. His injuries were treated at North Lincoln Hospital and he was then transported to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.

Police are charging him with felony driving while under the influence, reckless driving, two counts of reckless endangerment and driving while his license was suspended on top of having no auto insurance.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Christina Cole

University of Oregon Student Dies in Hit-and-Run

Christina Cole — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 12:16:17 GMT

A University of Oregon student struck by a hit-and-run driver near campus has died from injuries sustained in the accident.

The accident occurred Sunday morning. He suffered from severe head injuries and a broken leg. On Monday he died at Sacred Heart Medical Center.

Witnesses tell officials a dark Cadillac sedan was seen leaving the scene of the accident. Police found the car late Sunday and it had damages consistent with the crash. Investigators spoke with two people in association with the car, but no one has been charged.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Christina Cole

Man Dies after Crashing into Farm Vehicle

Christina Cole — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 22:57:14 GMT

A man died after the car he was driving smashed into the back of a farm truck on Highway 6. The man died from the severe injuries sustained during the car accident.

The man was traveling west on Highway 6, at approximately 6:45am when the accident happened, Oregon State Police say.

The Toyota 2-door car crashed into the back of a westbound Oregon Road Runner hay squeeze (a farm implement.) He told police he was going 40-45 mph when the car hit his vehicle - he was uninjured.

He was transported to Tillamook County General and then transported to Legacy Emanuel in Portland where he later died from his extensive injuries.

The crash is still under investigation with the help of a crash Reconstructionist. OSP reports that speeding and alcohol consumption by the driver that was killed, appear to be contributing factors.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Christina Cole

Woman Struck by Police Car

Christina Cole — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 19:34:57 GMT

A woman is in critical condition at OHSU Hospital after she was hit by a Beaverton police officer's patrol car on his way to help another fellow officer.

Police are yet to release the name of the officer that has been put on paid administrative leave pending an investigation by the Washington County Crash Analysis Reconstruction Team.

The woman was walking with her brother across Tualatin Valley Highway at 11:15 on Friday when the car accident occured and the patrol car hit her. The officer and the woman's brother were both uninjured.

At the time of the accident, the officer, did not have his emergency lights or siren on, said a Beaverton police spokesman. In general, officers do not use lights and sirens when going to cover another officer or for a routine stop.

Police called in the multiagency crash reconstruction unit because the accident involved a law enforcement officer and a serious injury. It could be a few days before the unit completes its investigation.
"These are not your standard traffic investigations. These are highly intricate, detailed investigations," Wandell said.
The investigation will determine if any traffic or criminal violations occurred, he said.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Christina Cole