State Police Seek Vehicle of Interest After Fatal Pedestrian Crash

Date: October 24, 2009
Location: Hwy. 34 west of I-5, Linn County, Oregon
Names: Mary Ann Bradford, William Blake

According to an Oregon State Police press release, Mary Ann Bradford, 42, whose last known residence was in Klawock, Alaska, died after she ran out onto Highway 34, about 100 yards west of I-5, in Linn County, Oregon, and was hit by a truck. Braddock may have been running from a disturbance at a nearby gas station when she ran into the highway around 6:05 AM, October 24, 2009. The driver of the truck, William Blake, 68, of Lebanon, was not injured.

Oregon State Police said troopers were called to a disturbance at a gas station near the crash site before 6 AM. Preliminary reports indicated that an unknown male in a blue 1995 Mercury four-door was involved in an altercation with a female. Shortly thereafter, state police received a report of an injury crash involving a pickup truck and a female pedestrian. Police and fire personnel found Bradford in the highway, critically injured. She was rushed by ambulance to Samaritan Albany General Hospital, where she died about two hours later.

Bradford’s next of kin were located in the St. Helens area. She was apparently in the area for about a week, accompanied by a male, on the way to an unknown destination in Alaska.

The blue car at the gas station, a 1995 Mercury Mystique with Nevada license plates 280 VTX, is being sought as a vehicle of interest.

State police are continuing to investigate, with the help of Linn County Sheriff’s Office. Police ask that anyone who witnessed the gas station disturbance, who has information about the vehicle of interest, or who has any information that might be of assistance, call the OSP Northern Command Center dispatch at (800) 452-7888.

Our hearts go out to Bradford’s family after this tragic crash, and we hope that they find some answers about this event that, right now, is so difficult to understand. We also send our thoughts to Blake, who must be suffering in the aftermath of this accident. We hope that both Blake and the Bradford family eventually find some peace and healing.