Hollenia Ann Russell Obituary, Death – On Sunday evening, a fatal crash in Linn County claimed the life of a pedestrian after she was struck by a vehicle along Highway 34, according to the Oregon State Police (OSP).
Authorities said troopers were dispatched around 7:26 p.m. following reports of a person being hit near milepost 10 on the highway. When officers arrived, they found that the pedestrian, identified as 44-year-old Hollenia Ann Russell of Albany, had been struck by a westbound vehicle.
Investigators determined that Russell had walked into the roadway when she was hit by a Dodge Avenger traveling west. Despite immediate response, she was pronounced dead at the scene due to the severity of her injuries.
The driver of the car, identified as 27-year-old Breanna Demae Fitch of Lebanon, sustained only minor injuries during the crash. Fitch remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities as they began their investigation. No further details have been released about why Russell entered the roadway or the circumstances leading up to the collision.
The crash resulted in temporary traffic disruptions in the area as emergency responders worked to secure the scene and conduct their investigation. Crews cleared the roadway later that night, allowing traffic to return to normal.
Russell’s sudden death has left her family and community reeling. Highway 34 is a major route in Linn County, and local residents have long voiced concerns about pedestrian safety along certain stretches of the road. While authorities have not yet determined whether speed, lighting, or other factors contributed to the accident, the incident underscores the dangers pedestrians face on busy highways.
OSP has not indicated whether charges are expected against Fitch, but the case remains under investigation. Additional reports, including toxicology and collision analysis, may help determine the final conclusions regarding the circumstances of the crash.
The tragic accident highlights the need for both drivers and pedestrians to exercise extreme caution on high-traffic roads. For drivers, visibility and attentiveness remain critical, especially during evening hours when lighting can be poor. For pedestrians, crossing or walking along major highways presents serious risks.
This case also adds to a troubling trend across Oregon and much of the United States, where pedestrian fatalities have been on the rise in recent years. Transportation officials have cited factors such as distracted driving, speeding, and increased foot traffic along busy corridors as contributing issues.
For now, Russell’s family is left grieving the sudden loss of a loved one whose life ended too soon. As OSP continues its investigation, more details may emerge about the sequence of events that led to the collision.
The community of Albany and surrounding Linn County residents are reminded of the fragility of life and the importance of road safety for everyone who shares Oregon’s highways.
