A 40-year-old Eugene woman was killed late Saturday night after she was struck while trying to cross Highway 42 south of Roseburg, in a crash that shut down the roadway for hours and drew multiple agencies to the scene.
Crash Details
According to Oregon State Police, the collision happened just before 11 p.m. on April 25 near the OR-42 and OR-99 intersection, as the woman attempted to cross from Grant Smith Road. Troopers said a red Ford Focus driven by 38-year-old Leo Thomas Durden III of Roseburg was heading westbound with a green light when it hit the pedestrian.
Investigators identified the victim as Vivian Kuntz, 40, of Eugene. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Durden and his passenger, 35-year-old Caitlinn Ann Durden of Roseburg, were not injured. The highway near milepost 76 was affected for about four hours while the Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated and documented the scene.
Local Reporting And Response
Local outlet KQEN reported that Central Douglas Fire and Rescue, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Winston police assisted at the crash site. Traffic was diverted while troopers collected evidence and worked through the aftermath of the fatal collision.
Pedestrian Safety Context
Pedestrian deaths continue to make up a significant portion of traffic fatalities in Oregon. National crash data shows the state recorded roughly 100 pedestrian deaths in 2023, a reminder of the risks people on foot face along many roadways. The Oregon Department of Transportation safety plan notes that higher-speed, multilane state routes without marked crossings or signals can be especially hazardous for pedestrians.
Oregon State Police say the crash remains under investigation. As part of their preliminary report, troopers have released the names and ages of those involved but have not announced any charges. Investigators are continuing to review the scene along with accounts from witnesses and responding crews.
