Oregon State Police Say Commercial Truck Driver Was on Meth When He Struck and Killed Another Trucker on Siskiyou Summit

Police in Oregon have arrested Daniel Clarence Clarey, a 54-year-old trucker, for the death of another truck driver, 52-year-old Kelly Linhart. The truck accident occurred last Thursday on the Siskiyou Summit. Clarey has been charged with driving under the influence and possession of methamphetamine, as well as negligent homicide.

According to Oregon State Police, Clarey was driving his 1996 Freightliner on Interstate 5 when he struck Linhart, who was standing outside his 2005 Volvo commercial truck while inspecting the vehicle. Witnesses say that Linhart tried to move out of Clarey’s way.

Oregon Truck Accidents
According to the Oregon Department of Transportation:

• 2,009 truckers were involved in truck crashes in the state in 2007.
• At least 13 of these truckers were driving while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication.

Also last week, the ODOT and OSP conducted a trucker safety inspection that found that 10% of the truckers and trucks that were checked at the Klamath Falls entry port on Highway 97 had problems. Of the 342 trucks that were examined over a 2-day period:

• 31 of the trucks had serious safety violations.
• 36 of the drivers committed violations.
• 4 truckers were arrested for driving under the influence.
• 1 truck driver was on the road even though his license was suspended.
• 3 truck drivers were driving even though they were extremely exhausted.

If you or someone you love was seriously injured in an Oregon truck accident, you may be entitled to personal injury compensation. Truck crashes are complicated injury cases to prove, which is why you must speak with an experienced Oregon truck crash lawyer about your case.

Commercial truck companies are equipped to protect their companies and their truck drivers from liability even if they are at fault, so it is important that you work with a personal injury law firm that knows how to protect your right to financial recovery.

Driver in fatal crash faces homicide, drug charges, Mail Tribune, September 27, 2008
POLICE: Truck Driver Was On Meth in Fatal Accident, KTVL.com, September 26, 2008
Related Web Resources:

Oregon Department of Transportation

Oregon State Police


Contact Matthew D. Kaplan, Attorney at Law today to request your free consultation with our experienced Portland personal injury law firm.

50 SW Pine St 3rd Floor Portland, OR 97204 Telephone: (503) 226-3844 Fax: (503) 943-6670 Email: matthew@mdkaplanlaw.com
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