The fatal pedestrian accident occurred at about 4:14 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026, on Highway 97 near milepost 264 in Klamath County.
Klamath County, OR – An 18-year-old pedestrian was killed after being struck by a commercial truck on Highway 97 near Klamath Falls early Saturday morning, according to the Oregon State Police.
The fatal pedestrian accident occurred at about 4:14 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026, on Highway 97 near milepost 264 in Klamath County.
A preliminary investigation indicates that a white Freightliner commercial motor vehicle driven by 43-year-old Shawn Christopher Kunze of Yreka, California, was traveling southbound on Highway 97 when it struck a pedestrian identified as 18-year-old Modoc Shadley of Klamath Falls. Authorities said Shadley was reportedly wearing dark clothing and walking in the southbound travel lane for unknown reasons at the time of the collision.
Shadley suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Kunze was transported to an area hospital for evaluation following the incident.
Oregon State Police troopers were assisted at the scene by the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, Klamath Falls Police Department, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
The collision caused traffic disruptions along Highway 97 for approximately two hours while authorities conducted the on-scene investigation and roadway cleanup.
The incident remains under investigation by the Oregon State Police.