Tragedy struck on a Lane County highway on Sunday evening when a pedestrian lost his life in a collision with a southbound vehicle. According to a report by Oregon State Police, the incident occurred at approximately 8:28 p.m. on Highway 99, near milepost 3. Gary Dale Obert, a 54-year-old Eugene resident, was fatally struck by an Acura MDX driven by 18-year-old Jaidene Raie Torgison of Creswell. The preliminary investigation indicates Obert was in the roadway at the time of the accident.
OSP, with the assistance of ODOT, managed the aftermath and conducted a thorough investigation as the highway remained closed for close to four hours. Both Torgison and her 17-year-old juvenile male passenger were not reported to have sustained injuries. OSP has yet to release details about why Obert was on the highway.
No charges have been filed in connection with the crash. Updates on the ongoing investigation will be provided as they become available.
