Oregon
Distracted teen driver veers off Hwy 99W, fatally strikes pedestrian near Junction City
ROSEBURG, Ore. — A pedestrian was killed when a driver drifted from her lane of travel, striking a Junction City man, according to Oregon State Police.
At 4:48 p.m. on May 5, Oregon State Police responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian fatal crash on Highway 99W near milepost 110.5 in Lane County.
Police say a blue Hyundai Elantra driven by a 16-year-old female, was southbound on Highway 99W near Junction City when she became distracted, left the travel lane, and struck a pedestrian.
The pedestrian, Joel Robert Benjamin Coriell, 35, of Junction City, had been walking along the southbound shoulder of the highway.
Coriell was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries and later died at the hospital.
The driver of the Hyundai had reported minor injuries. She remained on scene and cooperated with the investigation, police said.
The highway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation, OSP stated.
OSP was assisted by the Junction City Police Department, Lane County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.