Man Dies in Motorcycle Crash

Date: March 27, 2010
Location: Highway 30 near Deer Island, Oregon
Names: Jon Anthony Rethati

A 29-year-old St. Helens man who loved life died in a motorcycle crash on March 27, 2010, while driving behind his father on Highway 30 near Deer Island, Oregon.

Jon Anthony Rethati, who graduated from Scappoose High School in 1999, was riding his new Harley-Davidson motorcycle, which he bought only a few days earlier.

According to an Oregon State Police press release, Rethati and his father were driving west on the highway, with the father in front. Around 1:50 PM, Rethati lost control of his bike on a left turn and hit the guardrail. The impact threw him off the motorcycle and over the guardrail, where he hit the ground. The motorcycle continued traveling across the road until it stopped on the eastbound shoulder. He was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing a helmet.

We send our thoughts and prayers to Rethati’s family and friends as they mourn the loss of this much-loved young man.

Local residents say the stretch of road is a hazard.

Sally Norbom, who lives near the Oregon motorcycle crash site, told The South County Spotlight that the area of Highway 30 where the crash occurred is “terribly dangerous,” adding that there have been numerous crashes there. She said she has alerted Oregon Department of Transportation, and brought the situation to Columbia County commissioners, requesting modifications to make the road safer, such as a turn lane. She said she has not heard back.

If that is the case, there may be a lawsuit against the city, county, or state. Such a lawsuit would allow the injured person to receive compensation and hopefully prevent future Oregon accidents on that stretch of road. If a city, state, county, or other public body is being sued, a Tort Claim Notice must be received by the entity being sued within 180 days of the injury. Don’t miss this deadline! ORS 30.275 contains the details. If you cannot figure them out by yourself, please call us. We are happy to help.

When someone is seriously injured or killed in an Oregon motorcycle accident, a competent Portland injury attorney can help. For more information on what to do in the case of an Oregon accident, contact our office or request a free copy of our book 7 Common Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Oregon Accident Case.