PHOTO COURTESY OF OSP
A 52-year-old Oregon woman was killed when she was struck by a truck from behind while riding a bicycle on Interstate 84 on Sunday.
The Oregon State Police (OSP) are continuing the investigation into Sunday morning’s crash that resulted in the death of a 52-year old Mosier resident along westbound Interstate 84 at the Viento State Park interchange west of Hood River.
According to the OSP, Ellen Dittebrandt was riding a bicycle along Interstate 84 approaching the off ramp near milepost 56 to Viento State Park when she was hit from behind by a 2014 Ford pickup driven by John C. Allman, 55, from Portland. Allman was also traveling westbound when his truck traveled onto the shoulder and struck the bicycle from behind, ejecting Dittebrandt to where she came to rest in the left westbound lane. The pickup came to rest in the westbound traffic lanes.
Dittebrandt, who was wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead at the scene. She was a Mosier firefighter/EMT and a local artist, and in 2010 selected as Mosier’s firefighter of the year.
Allman was not injured and is cooperating with the investigation.
Driver fatigue has been identified as a contributing factor. Daylight conditions existed at the time of the crash and traffic was light.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates each year drowsy driving results in 1,550 deaths and 71,000 injuries, with 55 percent of these crashes involving drivers 25 years old and younger.
