Pedestrian Killed on Hwy101

There is no marked crosswalk where the victim was crossing the highway.

Photographs - Oregon State Police

(YACHATS OR) - Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into the cause of Friday afternoon's pedestrian-involved fatal traffic crash that occurred along Highway 101 approximately a half mile north of Yachats. The names of the victim and involved driver are released in this update.

According to Lieutenant Justin McGladrey, preliminary investigation indicates on July 5, 2013 at approximately 4:46 p.m., David W. Redetzke, age 75, from Yachats, was walking across Highway 101 from where he resides on the east side to the west side when he was struck in the southbound lane by a 2002 Dodge Neon passenger car. Mr. Redetzke was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Dodge's 17-year old male driver, Jason T. Moore of Waldport, was not injured and has cooperated with investigating troopers.

OSP troopers from the Newport Area Command office are leading the investigation. This straight stretch of two lane highway, with one lane in both directions separated by a double solid center line, has a posted speed of 40 mph. There is no marked crosswalk where the victim was crossing the highway.

The Lincoln County District Attorney's Office and Medical Examiner were notified. No other details are released at this time.

OSP was assisted at the scene by Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, Yachats Fire & Rescue, South Lincoln Ambulance, and ODOT. The highway was restricted to one lane of travel for over 4 hours.

Statistics gathered by Oregon's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) show 300 people have died during the Fourth of July holiday period since 1970; more than 50 of those deaths during the last ten years.

This was the fourth confirmed fatal traffic crash in Oregon during the current Fourth of July holiday period which began 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 3, and runs through 11:59 p.m., Sunday, July, 7.

Source: Oregon State Police