Ronald Hope Cole Jr. dies in fatal Linn County pedestrian crash
Fatal Linn County pedestrian crash death of Ronald Hope Cole Jr. – Obituary
A tragic accident on Tuesday morning claimed the life of 61-year-old Ronald Hope Cole Jr., a Harrisburg resident, when he was struck by a southbound commercial vehicle on Interstate 5 in Linn County. The incident occurred near milepost 216 at approximately 6:32 a.m., according to the Oregon State Police.
Cole Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene after being hit by a Kenworth truck driven by Timothy Alan Vinton Jr., who is also from Harrisburg. Vinton Jr. did not sustain any injuries in the collision.
Investigators are still trying to determine why Cole Jr. was on the roadway at the time of the crash. A thorough investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Traffic on the interstate was disrupted for about two hours as authorities conducted their on-scene investigation. The Oregon Department of Transportation assisted with traffic management during the closure.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the accident to contact the Oregon State Police Northern Command Center. Witnesses or those with relevant details are encouraged to call 800-442-0776 or *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone, referencing case number #SP24408204.
