PUBLIC SAFETY

Driver fatally strikes Aurora man crossing I-5 on foot

A driver struck and killed a pedestrian Friday night as he walked across Interstate 5 near Brooks, the Oregon State Police announced in a news release Monday.

Police responded around 8:44 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 13, to the collision scene on I-5 near milepost 263 in Marion County. They determined the driver of a Honda CRV was heading south when he struck a pedestrian, Arnulfo A. Chavez, 52 of Aurora, who was crossing the freeway.

Chavez was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver, Michael J. Stevenson, 45 of Salem, stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators, according to the news release. He and a passenger were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Editor’s note: The name of the passenger has been removed for public safety reasons.

Contact reporter Ardeshir Tabrizian: [email protected] or 503-929-3053.

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Ardeshir Tabrizian has covered criminal justice and housing for Salem Reporter since September 2021. As an Oregon native, his award-winning watchdog journalism has traversed the state. He has done reporting for The Oregonian, Eugene Weekly and Malheur Enterprise.