Wilsonville Pedestrian and Truck Accident Kills Man

Date: December 19, 2010
Location: Wilsonville, OR
Names: Julio Sezar Valentin, Blaise G.Anderson

According to an Oregon State Police news release, names have been released in the recent fatal pedestrian and truck crash in Wilsonville.

OSP Trooper Naymon Frank related that on December 19 at approximately 3:12am a 2004 Freightliner truck pulling an empty trailer was being driven by Blaise G. Anderson, age 57, of Farmington, Washington. Anderson was northbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 283 in the center lane when he struck a male pedestrian. Anderson said that he was unable to avoid the pedestrian who was walking with his back to traffic in the darkness. After the collision Anderson pulled over to the shoulder, stopped the truck and called OSP Northern Command Center dispatch to report the accident.

With the help of the Clackamas County Medical Examiner’s Office, the deceased pedestrian was identified as Julio Sezar Valentin, age 26, from Gervais.

Anderson was not injured. He was driving for Haney Truck Line out of Yakima, Washington.

Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into the Portland pedestrian accident. OSP wants to talk to anyone who had contact with the victim, know why he was walking on the freeway, or were traveling through the area before or at the time of the crash. Anyone with information to help with the investigation is asked to call OSP Northern Command Center dispatch at 800-452-7888.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Julio Valentin as they cope with their tragic loss.

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 wearing dark clothes and it was dark, or the pedestrian is walking where a prudent person would not expect a pedestrian to be, the driver can sometimes escape prosecution. But in most instances, the law will consider it to be the driver’s fault, and in the case of a fatal crash such as this one, a pedestrian’s family may be eligible to receive legal compensation. All cases are different, of course, so contact a knowledgeable Oregon pedestrian accident lawyer if you have any questions about your case.