I-205 Hit and Run Crash Injured Good Samaritan

Date: December 7, 2014

Location: Interstate 205 in Vancouver

Names: Steven Klase, Richard Irvine, Freddy Delacruz Moreno

I-205 Hit and Run Crash Injured Good Samaritan

Sunday morning, a multi-car crash occurred on I-205 and a good Samaritan who stopped by to help was also hit and critically injured.

The white pickup truck that was linked to the hit-and-run crash was found abandoned later on and arrested the driver who caused the incident.

The pickup hit a Honda CRV, which then slammed into the concrete barrier along the left lane. Steven Klase, 25, of Battle Ground, was driving the CRV.

Richard Irvine, 63, of Camas, pulled over on the shoulder to walk across the freeway to help Klase. A Honda Odyssey then struck the CRV and injured Irvine. The driver, Freddy Delacruz Moreno, 41, of Seattle, was injured.

Moreno, Irvine and Klase were all taken to the hospital with injuries. Irvine was in critical condition on Monday morning.

We wish Richard Irvine, Steven Klase, Freddy Delacrus Moreno and all the people involved in this crash a full and speedy recovery.  Hit and run drivers are cowards and criminals, and as Portland attorneys for hit and run injury victims we hope this driver is found soon. Remember, hit and run drivers can be punished in both criminal and civil cases.

According to Oregon law (ORS 811.705), drivers are required to remain at the scene if anyone is injured. If a driver does not do this, they can have criminal charges brought against them once they are found.

We encourage anyone who has witnessed a hit and run to come forward with information! You can call our office and we will ensure that your identity is protected, and the information is sent to the right person. If you feel more comfortable calling a hotline, DuBois Law Group LLC sponsors the Hit and Run Reward program that gives financial incentives for reluctant witnesses to come forward after hit and run incidents. Remember, you are helping the person who was hit and you helping protect our streets from drivers who do not obey the laws.

In cases like this, the hit and run driver can also have a civil lawsuit brought against them for all damages to the injury victim. Anyone injured by a hit and run driver has the right to seek legal recourse for injuries and damages to property. This compensation can come from the at-fault driver’s insurance or any personal assets they have.

In many cases, the hit and run driver left the scene because:

• They did not have insurance.
• They were driving intoxicated.

If the driver was driving intoxicated, you may still be able to file a claim with their insurance company, if you can identify the driver.

If you cannot find the driver, however, OR they do not have insurance, you can still file a claim through your own uninsured motorist (UIM) coverage on your own auto policy.

We understand that this is a complicated process, and we recommend discussing your case with a Portland hit and run accident attorney who offers free consultations if you have any questions.