Shaniko, OR (May 5, 2026) — A woman was killed Tuesday night after being struck by a semi-truck and then by a second unidentified vehicle on Highway 97 near milepost 61.5, approximately five miles west of Shaniko. According to Oregon State Police, the crash occurred around 10:24 p.m.
Investigators allege the woman had exited her vehicle after it became disabled nearby and was walking in the southbound lane when she was struck by a Peterbilt semi-truck hauling a trailer. Authorities said she was then hit by a second vehicle traveling northbound. The semi-truck driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Troopers are still attempting to identify the second vehicle and are asking for witnesses or anyone who may have been traveling through the area that night to come forward.
At this point, investigators are still working to understand exactly how the woman came to be in the roadway and what conditions drivers were facing at the time. Because the crash happened late at night on a rural stretch of highway, visibility will likely be an important part of the investigation.
Troopers may examine lighting conditions, sight distance, and whether drivers had enough time to recognize that a pedestrian was in the roadway. They may also look at where the disabled vehicle was located and whether it was visible to approaching traffic.
Even though the semi-truck driver remained at the scene and cooperated, investigators will still likely review how the truck was being operated leading up to the collision. In crashes involving pedestrians, especially at highway speeds, investigators often examine lane position, speed, attentiveness, and reaction time.
Commercial trucks require longer stopping distances than passenger vehicles, particularly at night or on rural highways. Investigators may also review whether the truck driver had an opportunity to avoid the collision once the pedestrian became visible.
This crash involves several moving pieces, including a disabled vehicle, a pedestrian in the roadway, a commercial truck, and a second unidentified vehicle. Because of that, investigators will likely need to reconstruct the timeline carefully to understand how each event happened and whether any of the collisions could have been avoided.
Reviewing physical evidence, roadway conditions, and witness information will be important in building a clearer picture of what occurred on Highway 97 that night.
Source: Central Oregon Daily News
Pedestrian crashes involving semi-trucks can raise difficult questions about visibility and driver attentiveness, especially when they happen at night on rural highways. These cases often require a detailed review of both the driver’s actions and the surrounding conditions.
Since the operation of a truck is highly regulated, it’s important to consider hiring an attorney experienced in truck crashes specifically if you find yourself in a similar situation. Attorneys certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in truck accident law have demonstrated experience handling these types of cases, and few attorneys in the Pacific Northwest hold that certification. Tom D’Amore, founder of D’Amore Law Group, has more than 30 years of experience and is certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
When a crash involves a commercial truck, it is important to examine every part of the incident carefully. If you’ve been involved in an accident like this, schedule a consultation to discuss your options.
