KLAMATH COUNTY, Ore. – Police in Oregon are looking into a crash involving a big rig and a pedestrian.
According to a news release, on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 4:14 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian fatal crash on Highway 97 near milepost 264 in Klamath County.
OSP says the preliminary investigation indicated a white Freightliner commercial motor vehicle, operated by Shawn Christopher Kunze, 43, of Yreka, Calif., was traveling southbound on Highway 97 near Klamath Falls when it struck a pedestrian in the roadway. The pedestrian, Modoc Shadley, 18, of Klamath Falls, is reported to have been wearing dark clothing and walking in the southbound travel lane for an unknown reason.
Shadley was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Kunze was transported to an area hospital for evaluation.
The highway was impacted for approximately two hours during the on-scene investigation.
The crash remains under investigation.
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.
