Hit-and-Run Kills One, Injures One

Date: December 15, 2009
Location: I-84, Ontario, Oregon
Names: Milton Scot Belton, Miguel Victorio-Alvarez, Francisco Roberto Lecaro

The Oregonian reports that on December 15, 2009, around 8 AM, two truck drivers, who had pulled to the side of the road to put on chains, were hit by a commercial truck.

The accident, which occurred on an I-84 off-ramp near Ontario, Oregon, killed Milton Scot Belton, 49, of Colville, Washington, and injured Miguel Victorio-Alvarez, 45, of Nampa, Idaho. Victorio-Alvarez’s injuries were not life-threatening.

The driver of the truck that struck the men, Francisco Roberto Lecaro, 36, of Perris, California, left the scene of the crash. Ontario police found Lecaro at Love’s Travel Stop & Country Store.

Belton and Victorio-Alvarez wear wearing reflective vests. According to BakersfieldNow.com, it was snowing heavily when the men decided to apply chains, and KGW.com said several roads were closed in Eastern Oregon due to treacherous weather.

Oregon State Police troopers and a collision reconstructionist are continuing to investigate.

According to the Oregon DMV, hit-and-run is a serious crime, and conviction will result in your driving privileges being suspended or revoked. In any accident, you have the following obligations:

• Stop at once. If anyone is killed or unconscious, you must stay at the scene until a police officer arrives.
• Render aid. Do not move an injured person carelessly, but give reasonable aid
• Exchange information with the other driver. Give them your name, address, driver’s license number, license plate number, and insurance information. DMV offers a printable checklist you can download and keep in your car.
• Report the accident to DMV.

We implore drivers in any accident situation to put the safety and welfare of others above their own interests, and always, always remain at the scene and make sure no one is hurt. We send our thoughts and prayers to Belton’s family, and best wishes to Victorio-Alvarez for a quick and complete recovery.

The hit-and-run driver must be held civilly and criminally responsible for his actions. And the Belton family may be well advised to a Portland hit-and-run accident attorney. At DuBois Law Group, we believe that what happened in this crash is simply unacceptable; we are committed to making sure that hit-and-run drivers are held accountable for their actions and that both victims and families receive the compensation they deserve.

DuBois Law Group represents victims with injuries resulting from accidents.  Our clients deserve representation with our experience, sensitivity and tenacity.  Should an unfortunate episode find you or someone you know in need of representation as a result of an accident related injury, the best thing you can do for yourself is to get educated by ordering your free copy of 7 Common Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Oregon Accident Case.