Authorities seek witnesses to deadly NE Salem bike crash

Michaela Bourgeois
·2 min read

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Investigators are searching for witnesses of a deadly crash involving a bicyclist in early January, Salem Police Department announced Wednesday.

Around 9 p.m. Jan. 11, a bicyclist — identified as 61-year-old Juan Martinez Barron — was found unconscious with a head injury on a sidewalk near Portland Road and Northgate Avenue, according to authorities.

Barron was taken to a local hospital in critical condition and later died, officials said on Jan. 20.

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As authorities investigate the incident, Salem police are searching for witnesses who drove through the area, along with a pedestrian and a bicyclist seen passing the area at separate times.

  • Salem, Oregon police seek witnesses to fatal bike crash
    Salem police are searching for potential witnesses to a deadly bike crash on Jan. 11, 2024, near Portland Rd. and Northgate Ave. Officials said a pedestrian who may have witnessed the incident was seen walking northbound on Portland Rd. near Carleton Way (Salem Police Department.)
  • Salem, Oregon police seek witnesses to fatal bike crash
    Salem police are searching for potential witnesses to a deadly bike crash on Jan. 11, 2024, near Portland Rd. and Northgate Ave. Officials said a bicyclist who may have witnessed the incident was seen riding northbound around Portland Rd. (Salem Police Department.)
  • Salem, Oregon police seek witnesses to fatal bike crash
    Salem police are searching for potential witnesses to a deadly bike crash on Jan. 11, 2024, near Portland Rd. and Northgate Ave. Officials said a bicyclist who may have witnessed the incident was seen riding northbound around Portland Rd. (Salem Police Department.)

Officials say the pedestrian was walking northbound on Portland Rd. near Carleton Way. According to police, the pedestrian was wearing a shirt or jacket with the hood up and was carrying a bag or wearing a backpack.

The bicyclist who may have witnessed the incident rode northbound on the sidewalk on Portland Rd, police said — noting the cyclist was carrying a yellow or light-colored bag and his bike had front and rear fenders, and a headlight.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to call Salem police.

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