Salem, Ore. — A Salem woman fell victim to a vehicle collision on Wednesday morning.
At 11:40 a.m. on August 14, callers reported a pedestrian was struck at the intersection of Lancaster DR and Wolverine ST NE by a sports utility vehicle (SUV).
The preliminary investigation done by the Salem Police Traffic Team determined the SUV driver was in the dedicated left turn lane waiting to make a left turn. After the traffic signal cycled, the pedestrian began crossing eastbound within the marked crosswalk when the SUV driver initiated the left turn, striking the pedestrian.
The pedestrian, identified as Teresita Telesfora Millard, was transported to Salem Health with critical injuries. The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.
The 67-year-old Millard succumbed to the injuries she sustained in the collision on Saturday afternoon, August 17.
The driver, identified as Mario Alberto Ortiz, age 53 of Salem, was initially cited for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, having no operator’s license, and driving uninsured. With Ms. Millard’s death, the incident remains an active case and, as with all significant investigations, will be forwarded to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office for review upon completion.
The incident is Salem’s sixteenth traffic fatality of the year. In 2023, the Traffic Team investigated 12 fatal collisions that resulted in 13 deaths.
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