Date: May 29, 2009
Location: South Hayden Road, Estacada, OR
Type: Hit-and-run
Outcome: 1 fatality
Names: Russell Evan Smithson, Jonathan Charles Leonard
29-year-old Russell “Rusty” Evan Smithson of Estacada was tragically killed early this morning by a hit-and-run driver. Smithson was walking along South Hayden Road around 2:00 a.m. with future brother-in-law Jonathan Leonard when a vehicle hit Smithson and then drove away. The two men had apparently started walking down the road after their motorcycle had broken down nearby. Leonard was not harmed.
A description of the suspect vehicle has not yet been released by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, according to the Portland Tribune.
We offer our deepest condolences to the friends and family of Russell Smithson. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. We can only imagine what his loved ones are going through at a time like this — not only do they have to face the sorrow of losing somebody close to them, but they also have to cope with the anger and frustration that accompany hit-and-run crashes. It is hard to understand how someone could hit a pedestrian and then simply speed away, seemingly remorseless.
Hit and run is a serious violation of Oregon Vehicle Code 811.705. We can only hope that Clackamas County Sheriffs find the suspect driver as quickly as possible. The hit-and-run driver must be held civilly and criminally responsible for his or her actions. In a case like this, The Smithson family may be well advised to contact a reputed personal injury attorney with experience in hit-and-run crashes who will fight for the justice and compensation that they deserve. At Shulman DuBois, we believe that what happened to Russell Smithson is simply unacceptable; we are committed to making sure that hit-and-run drivers are held accountable for their actions and that both victims and families receive the compensation they deserve.
Shulman DuBois LLC represents victims with injuries resulting from accidents. Our clients deserve representation with our experience, sensitivity and tenacity. Should an unfortunate episode find you or someone you know in need of representation as a result of an accident related injury, the best thing you can do for yourself is to get educated by reading our Frequently Asked Questions, exploring our Library, or ordering your free copy of 7 Common Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Oregon Accident Case.
As of the date we posted this blog, Shulman DuBois LLC does not represent any of the parties. If you are mentioned in this article and believe you may need legal help, please contact us or another reputable law firm. Oregon law firms specializing in personal injury, including us, will provide free and confidential consultations, so do not hesitate to call and ask questions.
