Austin Scott Yager Obituary, Death; Man struck, killed by semi after car stalls on I-84 in Morrow County.
Austin Scott Yager Obituary, Death – Late Friday night, a tragic accident in Morrow County claimed the life of a Bend man after his car broke down on an Interstate 84 on-ramp and he was struck by a semi-truck.
The Oregon State Police (OSP) reported that the fatal crash occurred just before midnight near milepost 159. Investigators determined that 38-year-old Austin Scott Yager, who was driving a Volkswagen Jetta, experienced a mechanical failure while traveling on the on-ramp. The breakdown caused the car to stall directly in the roadway, leaving it immobile.
Further complicating the situation, authorities said the mechanical problem also left the car’s lights inoperable, creating a dangerous scenario on the dark roadway. With no lights to alert oncoming traffic, the vehicle was barely visible to others using the on-ramp.
At some point after the breakdown, Yager exited his vehicle, likely to assess the situation or attempt to move to safety. Unfortunately, as he stood outside the disabled car, a passing semi-truck approached the area. Due to the limited visibility and the position of the stalled Jetta, the truck struck Yager, fatally injuring him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officials have not indicated whether the driver of the semi-truck was injured or will face any charges. No additional details have been released about the truck driver or the company operating the vehicle. OSP has also not confirmed whether weather or road conditions played a role in the incident.
The crash highlights the dangers of breakdowns occurring at night, especially when a vehicle’s lights are disabled and the roadway is active with fast-moving traffic. Emergency responders stress that when possible, motorists should immediately move disabled vehicles to the shoulder, turn on hazard lights, and remain inside the car until help arrives. In situations where lights or hazards cannot be activated, visibility becomes a significant risk factor.
The accident shut down part of the ramp for several hours while investigators examined the scene and cleared the wreckage. OSP troopers worked alongside local responders to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the fatal crash.
As of now, the Oregon State Police have not released information regarding whether alcohol, distraction, or other driver-related factors contributed to the semi-truck’s inability to avoid the crash. The case remains under review.
Austin Scott Yager, 38, was a resident of Bend, Oregon. Friends and family are expected to mourn his loss as the community processes the sudden tragedy.
The Oregon State Police is urging drivers to exercise extreme caution when traveling on highways at night, particularly when approaching stalled vehicles. Motorists who come across a disabled vehicle are encouraged to slow down, change lanes if possible, and report the situation to authorities to prevent further accidents.
This fatal collision serves as a reminder of the unpredictable dangers on the road and the importance of roadside safety awareness. The investigation into Yager’s death is ongoing.
