PUBLIC SAFETY

Police continue to investigate death of 67-year-old pedestrian

A 67-year-old Salem woman who was hit by an SUV last week at Northeast Lancaster Drive and Wolverine Street died Saturday at a Salem hospital from her injuries, police said in a release Sunday. 

The woman was identified as Teresita Telesfora Millard, 67.

Police said they responded to the intersection after getting calls at just before noon on Wednesday, Aug. 14, that a pedestrian was hit by an SUV. 

Police said their investigation determined that Millard attempted to cross the street at a crosswalk heading east when the SUV turned left and hit her. 

Police identified the driver as Mario Alberto Ortiz, 53, of Salem.

Millard was taken to the hospital with critical injuries where she died Saturday afternoon, police said.

Ortiz remained at the scene and was cited for not yielding to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, driving uninsured and driving without a license, the release said. 

Angela Hedrick, Salem police spokeswoman, declined to provide any other details because the investigation is still ongoing. 

“When the Traffic Team investigators complete their findings, they will be presented to the district attorney’s office,” Hedrick said. “The district attorney’s office review of the investigative findings will determine any other charges.” 

Millard’s death is Salem’s 16th traffic fatality of the year, police said in the release. For all of 2023, police said, 13 people died in traffic accidents.

Contact reporter Joe Siess: [email protected] or 503-335-7790.

A MOMENT MORE, PLEASE – If you found this story useful, consider subscribing to Salem Reporter if you don’t already. Work such as this, done by local professionals, depends on community support from subscribers. Please take a moment and sign up now – easy and secure: SUBSCRIBE.

Joe Siess is a reporter for Salem Reporter. Joe joined Salem Reporter in 2024 and primarily covers city and county government but loves surprises. Joe previously reported for the Redmond Spokesman, the Bulletin in Bend, Klamath Falls Herald and News and the Malheur Enterprise. He was born in Independence, MO, where the Oregon Trail officially starts, and grew up in the Kansas City area.