Oakridge, OR – Derek Lee Berling Fatally Struck by Train near Salmon Creek Rd
Oakridge, OR (November 29, 2022) – An investigation is underway following a crash in Lane County that took place on Friday night that claimed the life of 57-year-old Derek Lee Berling. On November 25, the Lane County Sheriff’s office was notified that a crash took place near Salmon Creek Road.
According to law enforcement, Berling was running along railroad tracks near Salmon Creek Road when he was struck by a train.
Berling suffered severe injuries as a result of the crash. Authorities arrived at the scene to render aid to the victim. Despite lifesaving measures, Berling passed away at the scene.
At this time, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Patrol are investigating the accident.
Our condolences are with the family of Derek Lee Berling at this time.
Fatal Pedestrian Accidents in Oregon
Pedestrian accidents take the life of a handful of people every year in the state of Oregon. Regrettably, fatal pedestrian accidents often have devastating impacts on the lives of families who are forced to deal with the sudden and unexpected loss of their loved ones.
It is no secret that there are a variety of bad drivers on the roadways. These dangerous drivers often put other people at risk by breaking the law or driving carelessly. Some of the most common dangers posed by these drivers include those who run red lights, fail to yield, and drive while distracted.
Each year, thousands of pedestrian accidents occur across the United States as a result of one or more of these dangerous behaviors. All too often, these accidents result in serious injuries or even death. Drivers who run red lights put pedestrians crossing the street at an intersection at risk. Drivers who fail to yield can cause collisions when turning, and distractions can keep a driver from seeing a pedestrian in the roadway.
Pedestrians need to be aware of their surroundings and watch for dangers like these bad drivers. But even the most cautious pedestrian can be seriously injured if struck by a car driven by someone running a red light, failing to yield, or driving distracted. If you have lost a loved one as a result of a fatal pedestrian, it is important to seek experienced legal help to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve. An Oakridge wrongful death lawyer can help your family protect your legal rights and justice.
After losing a loved one, our wrongful death lawyers at Kivel & Howard will cite to ensure your family is able to recover financial compensation for funeral expenses, lost earning capacity, and a variety of other financial burdens you face. Our team will also fight for fair compensation to cover the noneconomic damages that you have endured, such as pain and suffering and loss of consortium. Our lawyers can meet with you for a free consultation at your earliest convenience and contact our team today at to get started.
Note: We utilize several outside sources when creating this accident news post for Kivel & Howard. Our sources include news and media outlets, state and local police incident reports as well as statements taken from individuals who have witnessed the accident. Because of this, the facts surrounding this accident have not been independently verified by our writing staff. If you find any information that is inaccurate in our story, let us know and we will correct the post to reflect the most accurate information available. We will remove this post from our site upon request.
Disclaimer: These posts are written with the intent to provide Oregonians with overall driving and safety information in an effort to reduce the number of serious accidents that take place on our roads and highways. These posts are not intended to provide medical or legal advice of any kind. The photograph used in this story is not representative of the actual accident scene.