GILLIAM COUNTY, Ore. (KPTV) - One person was killed and three others were hurt in a crash on Interstate 84 in Gilliam County, according to Oregon State Police.
The crash happened Tuesday, Aug. 11, at about 2:43 p.m. near milepost 123. OSP said 77-year-old James Thomas Raugust, who was driving a red Land Rover hauling an Airstream trailer, pulled over onto the right shoulder with a flat tire and an Oregon Department of Transportation worker, Roger Vincent Birkeland of Arlington, had stopped to help.
OSP said Birkeland parked his maintenance truck behind the disabled Land Rover, blocking the right lane with a large electronic reader board alerting oncoming traffic to move over.
According to OSP, the driver of a white Toyota Highlander hit the back of the ODOT truck, lost control, and hit both Raugust and Birkeland.
Raugust, of Ocean Shores, Washington, died at the scene. Birkeland was taken by Life Flight to an area hospital with serious injuries.
A passenger in the Land Rover and the driver of the Toyota had minor injuries, according to OSP.
The crash remains under investigation. OSP said the driver at fault is not facing charges at this time.
ODOT released a statement Thursday from District 9 Manager Dan Shanahan, saying:
“There is no excuse for not slowing down and paying attention when people are along the highway. What happened Tuesday is devastating, and lives have been forever changed. The people you pass on the shoulder or working in a closed lane aren’t just workers or stranded drivers. They are someone’s family member, friend, or neighbor. Our crews care deeply about the work they do and the people they serve. They’re out there every day working to keep the public safe, and they need drivers to do their part in return. Slow down and pay attention. If you can’t do that, don’t drive.”