June 8, 2024 6;20 a.m.

A Myrtle Creek man died after being struck by a semi-truck on Interstate Five northbound Thursday night.

An Oregon State Police report said at approximately 10:20 p.m. troopers responded to the accident near the Myrtle Creek exit. The preliminary investigation revealed that the pedestrian, 74-year-old William Baird was walking on a curve in the fast lane when he was struck by the commercial motor vehicle, which was operated by a 24-year-old from British Columbia. The semi-driver reportedly attempted to avoid the collision but was unable to do so.

Baird was declared deceased at the scene. The commercial motor vehicle driver was not injured. Interstate Five northbound was impacted for approximately three hours during the on-scene investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Myrtle Creek Police, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon Department of Transportation.