Vehicle Pedestrian Accident, July 13

On July 11, 2015, at 3:36 AM, Linn County 911 received a call of a male pedestrian in the roadway on Highway 20 near milepost 23 (just east of Lebanon). At 4:00AM, Linn County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Craig Vogt was checking the area of Highway 20, milepost 21, when he struck an adult male in the eastbound lanes of Highway 20 with his 2008 Ford Expedition patrol vehicle. Lieutenant Vogt started first aid and requested medics. The adult male was transported to Lebanon General Hospital and then to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis with serious injuries. The male was identified as Elliott Curtis DUKE, age 32, of Lebanon, Oregon. According to Lieutenant Vonn Schleicher, OSP, preliminary investigation showed that DUKE was wearing all black clothing and standing in the middle of the lanes of travel. This is a rural area and this section of Hwy 20 has no street lights and minimal lighting from surrounding residences. Oregon State Police is the lead investigating agency. The eastbound lanes of HWY 20 were closed for approximately four hours while the investigation was conducted. OSP was assisted by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Lebanon Fire Department and the Oregon Department of Transportation. This is an ongoing investigation and more information will be released when it is available.