Commercial Truck Crash Kills Transient

Date: May 29, 2010
Location: I-84 near Baker City, Oregon
Names: Robert Lee Hurley IV, [Unknown]

A 49-year-old man died May 29, 2010, around 10:45 PM, when he was struck and killed by a commercial truck driven by Robert Lee Hurley IV, 48, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The crash occurred on I-84 near Baker City, Oregon, according to an OSP press release.

The victim was reported to have been walking westbound in the right-hand eastbound lane of the freeway as Hurley drove east in the same lane. Hurley claimed he was unable to avoid striking the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The deceased was believed to be a transient, and police are withholding his name pending notification of next of kin.

Hurley was uninjured. He was driving for Hurley Transport with a load of general freight.

OSP troopers are continuing to investigate, but they say there is no evidence that Hurley was at fault.

We are saddened to hear of this man’s passing, and our hearts go out to his family. We also send our thoughts to Hurley as he deals with the aftermath of this tragic accident.

If a pedestrian is hit in a crosswalk, it is generally considered the driver’s fault. However, just like everything in the law, there are exceptions. If the pedestrian was drunk and wearing dark clothes, and it was dark, the driver can sometimes escape prosecution. Or if a pedestrian darts out unexpectedly into an intersection, the law may take the driver’s side too. But in most cases, the law will consider it to be the driver’s fault, and the pedestrian or the pedestrian’s family will be able to get legal compensation. All cases are different, of course, so contact a knowledgeable Oregon pedestrian injury lawyer if you have any questions about your case.