Pedestrian Fatal North of Florence, Sept. 3

Oregon State Police (OSP), with the assistance of the Lane County Medical Examiner, is continuing the investigation into Monday morning’s fatal pedestrian-involved collision that occurred on Highway 101 about two miles north of Florence. Initial investigation indicates the pedestrian’s action leading to his being struck by a passenger car may have been an intentional act. On September 1, 2014 at approximately 11:53 a.m., OSP troopers were dispatched to a reported injury crash involving a male pedestrian and a passenger car on Highway 101 near milepost 187. EMS responders arrived on scene and quickly transported the 48-year old male pedestrian by Western Lane Ambulance to PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased after arrival. Preliminary investigation indicates the victim, DEWAYNE ARTHUR MERIDITH, age 48, from Florence, was a passenger in a vehicle occupied by his mother and her friend enroute to a local store. As they pulled up toward Highway 101 in a private driveway, MERIDITH got out from the rear passenger seat and approached the road. As a northbound 1997 Honda Civic driven by LUIS CASTRO, age 19, from Keizer, approached, MERIDITH moved in the car’s path. Despite the driver’s attempted to avoid MERIDITH by braking and veering left, the car struck him. The car’s driver and 17-year old female passenger had no apparent injury.