WASCO COUNTY, Ore. – A pedestrian died on Tuesday after being struck by a semi truck and a second unknown vehicle in Oregon.
A release from the Oregon State Police (OSP) stated that the incident occurred on Tuesday, May 5, 10:24 p.m. OSP stated that troopers responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian fatal crash on Highway 97 near milepost 61.5 in Wasco County.
OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated a fully loaded, blue Peterbilt semi-truck with trailer, operated by Larry Wayne Lorenz, 60, of Spokane Wash., was traveling southbound on Highway 97 near Bake Oven Road when it struck a pedestrian walking in the travel lane. The pedestrian, identified as Lutah Avis Wallulatum, 42, of Warm Springs, was subsequently struck by a second unknown vehicle in the northbound travel lane. She is believed to have been walking along the highway after the vehicle she was traveling in broke down a short distance from the crash location.
Wallulatum was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Lorenz was reportedly not injured. He remained on scene and cooperated with the investigation.
The highway was impacted for approximately 4.5 hours for the on-scene investigation.
OSP’s investigators are seeking witnesses or anyone who may have been traveling in the area at the time. They are especially interested in information from people who were between mileposts 57 and 68 on Highway 97 (between Shaniko and the Cow Creek Rest Area) on May 5, 2026, between 10 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., and who may have seen pedestrians or reported possibly striking an animal in the area during that time. Anyone with information is asked to call Oregon State Police dispatch at 800-442-2068 or *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone. Please reference case number SP26-146196.
Bruce Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has lived in three states including Arkansas, Missouri and Georgia. During his nearly 20-year career, Bruce has served as managing editor and sports editor for numerous publications. He and his wife, Dana, who is also a journalist, are based in Carrollton, Georgia.
