A 67-year-old Klamath Falls man was killed Monday night on Highway 97 near Chemult after running into traffic to retrieve a dog and being struck by a semi-truck. The crash shut down the rural highway for hours and left the surrounding community shaken.
According to a press release from the Oregon State Police, troopers responded just after 10:07 p.m. to a vehicle-versus-pedestrian crash near milepost 200. The pedestrian was identified as Scott Henry Beggio, 67, of Klamath Falls. The commercial vehicle involved was a white Freightliner driven by 44-year-old Larry Dotson of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Beggio was pronounced dead at the scene and the truck driver was not injured, the agency reported.
Scene and response
The southbound lane near Chemult was blocked while investigators worked the scene, and the highway was affected for roughly five hours as collision reconstruction took place. KOIN reported that Beggio had been trying to catch his dog after it ran into the roadway when he was struck. Local agencies including the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, Chemult Rural Fire Protection District and the Oregon Department of Transportation assisted at the scene.
A broader safety picture
Pedestrian deaths remain a concern for state transportation planners. The Oregon Department of Transportation reports that pedestrian fatalities fell from 110 in 2023 to 97 in 2024, and the agency says targeted work is underway to protect vulnerable users on state highways. Rural corridors with higher speeds and limited shoulders pose particular risks for people and pets near the travel lane.
Investigation ongoing
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is leading the investigation and has not released additional details. According to the agency’s release, anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the Oregon State Police. Authorities have not announced any charges.
