A woman from Warm Springs was killed Tuesday night after being struck by two vehicles on Highway 97 in Wasco County, according to the Oregon State Police.
Troopers responded to the fatal crash at about 10:24 p.m. May 5 near milepost 61.5 on Highway 97, south of Shaniko.
According to the preliminary investigation, a fully loaded blue Peterbilt semi-truck and trailer driven by 60-year-old Larry Wayne Lorenz of Spokane, Washington, was traveling southbound when it struck a pedestrian walking in the travel lane near Bake Oven Road. Investigators said the pedestrian, identified as 42-year-old Lutah Avis Wallulatum of Warm Springs, was then struck by a second vehicle traveling northbound. That vehicle has not yet been identified.
Police believe Wallulatum had been walking along the highway after the vehicle she had been traveling in broke down a short distance from the crash scene.
Wallulatum was pronounced dead at the scene.
Lorenz was not injured and remained at the scene cooperating with investigators, OSP said.
The highway was impacted for approximately 4.5 hours while investigators processed the scene.
Oregon State Police was assisted by South Wasco County EMS, the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or traveled through the area between mileposts 57 and 68 on Highway 97 between 10 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. on May 5 to contact OSP dispatch at 800-442-2068 or *OSP (677) from a mobile phone. Authorities are especially interested in hearing from anyone who may have seen pedestrians in the area or who may have believed they struck an animal during that time.
Callers are asked to reference case number SP26-146196.
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