Date: January 25, 2010
Location: U.S. 26 near Government Camp, Oregon
Names: Robin “Babes” Rae Udey, Ronald Jory
Oregon State Police troopers are investigating a fatal crash between a commercial truck and an SUV on U.S. 26 near Government Camp in Oregon. Robin “Babes” Rae Udey, 54, of Pine Grove, Oregon, died January 25, 2010, around 7:45 AM, after a truck driven by Ronald Lewis Jory, 63, of Olympia, Washington, crashed head-on into the car she was driving, according to reports by The Oregonian and Salem-News.com.
While traveling downhill, nearing a curve in the road, Jory lost control of the truck he was driving, which was pulling two tankers loaded with malt. The highway was covered with packed snow and ice.
Udey was thrown from her car, even though police believe she was wearing safety restraints. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Jory, who was using safety restraints, received non-life-threatening injuries, and was transported by ambulance to Oregon Health & Science University Hospital.
According to an obituary in The Dalles Chronicle, Udey is remembered by her husband, Raymond; children JC, Alex, Ginny, and Stacey; four grandchildren; and many other loving family members and friends.
Udey was an avid hunter, fisher, and traveler. She worked as an Equal Employment Specialist for the United States Forest Service.
A memorial service was held February 2 at First Christian Church in The Dalles.
Our hearts go out to Udey’s family as they mourn the loss of a very special, much loved woman. A friend of the family commented on The Oregonian’s article, “Robin was a wonderful, fun loving person who had a giggle that would make anybody smile.” We join our prayers with the many community members grieving this tragic loss.
Wrongful death claims are allowed by law. ORS 30.010-30.100.
The statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim is tricky. It is “three years after the injury causing the death . . . is discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. . . .” In other words, it’s not three years from the date of death; it’s three years from the date of the original injury that ultimately caused the death. If a person goes into a coma from a car crash, and dies eight months later, the case will have to be brought within three years from the date of the car crash, not from the date of the death.
If a city, state, county, or other public body is being sued, a Tort Claim Notice must be received by the entity being sued within 180 days of the injury.
Compensation available includes charges for medical expenses; memorial and burial services; compensation for the person’s pain, suffering, disability, and loss of income from the time of the injury through the time of death; financial losses to the person’s family or other heirs; compensation for the loss of companionship and services to the person’s spouse, children, stepchildren, stepparents and parents; and punitive damages may sometimes be available as well.
The law caps the amount of noneconomic damages at $500,000. This does not apply to economic damages, which are not capped.
Shulman DuBois does not represent any of the parties in this article. If you were involved in this or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. We offer a free, confidential consultation to not-at-fault people discussed in this article. The free consultation extends to family members as well.
