Portland Personal Injury Law Blog

November 30, 2010 held the dubious title as the day the 57th pedestrian lost their life on the roads of Oregon last year. Joseph A. Bartone, a 26-year-old in Salem lost his life just before the break of dawn.

Last year’s sum marks an 87 percent increase in Oregon pedestrian fatalities over the same time period in 2009, which saw a total of 30 pedestrians who lost their lives.

According to Julie Yip of the Oregon Department of Transportation’s safety division, 2010′s total pedestrian death toll is fast approaching the 2001 record of 59. Don Thomson, a spokesman for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, said that Bartone was struck by 56-year-old Ronald J. Butcher of Silverton, Oregon who was traveling west in his Mini Cooper.

The accident happened as the young man and his family were searching for his dog just before dawn.

While there is a bit of speculation, from the sounds of what witnesses and police say happened, it was a case of carelessness on the pedestrian’s part.

"What we found is that they were walking or crossing in the dark, obscured by vegetation or curves, and were wearing dark clothing," says Yip. “Most people just don’t realize how invisible they are."

Deputies said that a different driver described just missing Barton as he stood in the middle of the road in dark clothing.

In most cases, pedestrians can stay safe with common sense, including staying alert to your surroundings. And if you plan on traveling by foot or bicycle along roads, wear reflective gear or at least light clothing.