Authorities identify man hit by Semi on Interstate 84 near Rowena
Editor’s Note - This story was originally published with the incorrect last name of the deceased. Our sincerest apologies to Mexico’s family and friends.
By Tom Peterson
The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 1, 2024 - Oregon State Police identified the man who was hit and killed by a double-trailer semi-truck on Interstate 84 near The Dalles.
Mexico Pitts, 36, of The Dalles, was hit near milepost 76 on Tuesday, Jan. 30 at about 8:45 p.m., according to Oregon State Police.
Click to expand. Mexico Pitts was hit near the Rowena Exit or Milepost 76 on Tuesday, Jan. 30
Pitts was reportedly walking in the westbound lane when the semi struck him. He was wearing dark clothing.
His body came to rest near the speed limit sign in that section of the highway, and he was later declared deceased at the scene, according to The Wasco County Sheriff’s log.
Lt. Jason Calloway with OSP said Pitts was a known houseless man in The Dalles community where his mother also resides.
Pitts was seen earlier in the week at the laundry at Cascade Square. He said he was going to see his girlfriend in Hood River, a 40-year-old male, also houseless, told CCCNews under the condition of anonymity today, Feb. 1.
“He was a nice guy; I never had a problem with him,” he said.
Pitts was struck and killed while traveling west on Interstate 84.
“He was here for a while,” he said of Pitt’s time in The Dalles. “He would pop in and out for maybe the last two years on and off.”
“It’s a bad, bad situation,” the man said. “For everybody.”
Oregon State Police Lt. Calloway said Pitts was known for hitchhiking between The Dalles and Hood River. On the night he was hit, he was walking in the travel lane wearing dark clothing when the collision occurred.
OSP Lt. Jason Calloway
“For some reason, he decided to walk in the lane, and we don’t know why. He had no history of suicide,” Calloway said.
The semi driver Bill Robins of Kennewick was unable to maneuver fast enough to keep from striking the black-jacket-wearing Pitts, according to the Wasco County Sheriff’s log.
Robins called the accident into 911, and he remained on the scene and waited for authorities.
“The driver is not at fault from all the evidence we have,” Calloway said. “That’s not an issue.”
Calloway said footage from the Robins’ truck showed the pedestrian walking in the B lane of the highway before being struck.
Oregon State Police Trooper Jonathon Swiger handled the call with the help of Wasco County Deputies. Swiger called out for a crash reconstructionist as OSP took over the investigation.
“I feel sorry for the commercial driver, everybody,” Calloway said. “This is the hardest part of the job. Anytime you have to give a death notification it is very difficult on everyone involved.”
