According to Woodburn police, a vehicle was traveling westbound on James Street when the driver, Michael Ryan Bowar, crashed into a parked vehicle and hit Lerback, who was in the roadway. Bowar proceeded on and struck a second parked vehicle, before slamming into the home
Woodburn, OR – The pedestrian who was killed when a car crashed into two parked vehicles and slammed into a residence in Woodburn on Friday afternoon has been identified as Jens Robert Lerback, 69, according to the Woodburn Police Department.
An 18-year-old driver was arrested following the collision that happened in the 1400 block of James Street, just before 12:47 p.m. on Thursday, December 18.
According to Woodburn police, a vehicle was traveling westbound on James Street when the driver, Michael Ryan Bowar, crashed into a parked vehicle and hit Lerback, who was in the roadway. Bowar proceeded on and struck a second parked vehicle, before slamming into the home.
Police responded to the incident shortly after and Lerback was declared dead at the scene. Both vehicles that were struck by Bowar were unoccupied at the time of the accident and no one in the residence was injured.
Bowar was also unhurt but was determined to have been impaired. He was arrested and booked into the Marion County Jail on charges of second-degree manslaughter, reckless driving, reckless endangerment, DUI, and second-degree criminal mischief.
The accident caused the closure of James Street for hours as authorities conducted the investigations. The Woodburn Police Department is investigating the crash.
Original Story
Woodburn, OR – A pedestrian died in an accident where a vehicle crashed into parked vehicles, then slammed into a home in Woodburn on Friday afternoon, according to the Woodburn Police Department.
The auto-pedestrian collision happened in the 1400 block of James Street shortly before 12:47 p.m. on December 19.
A preliminary investigation found that a vehicle was westbound on James Street when it crashed into a parked vehicle and a pedestrian who was in the roadway. The westbound driver proceeded on and collided with a second parked vehicle, before crashing into the residence.
The Woodburn Police Department responded to the scene and located the pedestrian, who was declared dead at the scene. The victim was only identified as a 69-year-old man.
The struck vehicles were unoccupied at the time of the crash and no one in the home reported any injuries in the incident.
James Street was blocked for hours as authorities conducted the investigations. There were no reports of citations or arrests in connection with the accident.
The Woodburn Police Department is investigating the deadly collision.
Statistics from the Oregon Department of Transportation show that Oregon experienced an estimated 34,000 reported traffic crashes in 2024, resulting in more than 250 fatalities and thousands of injuries, with head-on and lane-departure collisions a significant contributing factor in rural highway fatalities. Marion County’s rural highways, including sections of Highway 99E, have historically seen higher-than-average serious collisions per capita compared to urban areas, often involving speed, loss of control, or head-on impact, according to ODOT Crash Data.
Head-on and loss-of-control collisions on rural highways can be deadly. Always drive within posted speed limits, remain alert and focused, and avoid distractions. On two-lane highways, maintain safe control of your vehicle at all times — your life and the lives of others depend on it.
If you’ve lost a loved one in a fatal car accident, speaking with a skilled wrongful death and car accident attorney can help you understand your legal rights during this difficult time. An attorney can guide your family through the claims process, protect your interests, and pursue compensation for your loss. Reach out today for compassionate legal support and a free case evaluation.