SALEM, Ore. -- Southbound I-5 near Salem was shut down for several hours Thursday morning after a pedestrian was struck and killed trying to cross the freeway.
The accident happened just before 6 a.m. near milepost 258. Police said it appeared the pedestrian tried to walk across the southbound lanes of I-5 when the person was struck on the dark morning. All lanes were closed for most of Thursday morning, causing a backup that stretched for miles.
The gender, age and name of the victim had not yet been released. The driver of the vehicle that struck the pedestrian was cooperating with police.
A detour was routing drivers off I-5 at exit 260 and people traveling both directions were warned to expect major delays.
