Early Sunday morning on Interstate 84 in Hood River County, a 24-year-old Hermiston man was struck and killed while walking in a travel lane, turning a quiet stretch of freeway into the center of a fatal investigation.
Oregon State Police identified the victim as Hunter Clay Miller of Hermiston. Troopers responded to the crash near milepost 66 at about 5:58 a.m. and pronounced Miller dead at the scene, according to KATU.
Investigators say their preliminary findings show Miller was walking in the travel lane when an unknown westbound vehicle in the slow lane hit him. The driver has not been identified, and the vehicle has not yet been located, authorities said.
Investigators Seek Witnesses
Adding another wrinkle to the case, troopers found a black Harley-Davidson motorcycle several miles east of the crash site. It is not yet clear whether the bike or its rider had anything to do with the collision, according to Gorge News Center.
The highway was affected for roughly two-and-a-half hours while Oregon State Police processed the scene. Investigators are asking anyone who may have been driving through the area around 5:58 a.m., especially those with dash-cam footage, to contact OSP Dispatch at 800-442-2068 or dial *OSP (*677) and reference case number SP26-135374.
What The Law Says
In Oregon, leaving the scene of a crash that results in serious injury or death can bring felony charges. State law says that failure to perform the duties of a driver to injured persons is a Class B felony if a person dies as a result of the collision, according to the Oregon Revised Statutes.
Oregon State Police say the investigation is active and, as of the afternoon of April 27, no suspect vehicle had been publicly identified. Anyone who was on I-84 near milepost 66 around the time of the crash and may have seen something is urged to call the tip line listed above.
