Portland, OR – Meliny Fischer Killed in Head-On Collision on Highway 47
Portland, OR (January 5, 2023) – A 31-year-old woman has died as a result of a drunk driving accident that occurred on Friday in the Portland area. On December 30, the Oregon State Police responded to a crash that took place on Highway 47.
At approximately 1 a.m., a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban, driven by 27-year-old Diego Hernandez, was traveling on Highway 647. As the vehicle left its lane for unknown reasons, it hit a 1998 Ford Ranger driven by 30-year-old Nathan Pellham. The head-on collision blocked the road, causing delays in the area.
A passenger in the Ranger, 31-year-old Meliny Fischer, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by Oregon State police. Pellham suffered injuries and had to be transported to a local hospital.
Hernandez was treated at the scene for injuries. The police then took him into custody. He was charged with DUII, reckless endangering, and reckless driving.
At this time, investigations are underway. However, the police announced that more charges may be filed against him.
We hope Nathan Pellham recovers quickly following this crash.
We offer our sympathies to the family of Meliny Fischer at this time.
Fatal Car Accidents in Oregon
Each year, hundreds of people lose their lives due to fatal accidents that occur in the state of Oregon. There are many instances where innocent people die due to the negligent and reckless actions of others. Although it is highly illegal, a significant number of accidents that we see take place due to drivers who are drunk while behind the wheel. Driving while intoxicated in dangerous for various reasons.
To begin, drunk driving significantly increases the risk of both fatal and nonfatal car crashes taking place. Alcohol impairs judgment and reaction time, which can lead to drivers making poor decisions or reacting too slowly to avoid an accident. Additionally, alcohol lowers inhibitions and can make people feel more confident behind the wheel than they actually are, leading them to take unnecessary risks.
If your loved one has died as a result of a fatal drunk driving accident, your family must act quickly to get justice. Reaching out to a wrongful death lawyer in Portland right away can help to ensure that you are able to file a wrongful death claim with the strongest evidence possible.
At Kivel & Howard, we are dedicated to providing our clients with the best legal representation and advice. Our Portland car accident lawyers have decades of experience in dealing with auto accidents and helping those affected by them get back on their feet again. We offer a free consultation so you can take the time to understand your options before deciding what steps are right for you. Don’t hesitate to contact us today at (503) 796-0909 or (503) 802-4800 if you’ve been involved in an accident or have any questions about your rights and available courses of action following a car crash.
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.
