Eugene Man Killed in Tragic Highway 228 Crash



LINN COUNTY, Ore. - A 46-year-old Eugene man, Elijah A. Copeland, was fatally struck by a trailer on Highway 228 near milepost 2 on July 31, 2025, according to the Oregon State Police.
The incident occurred at 8:48 p.m. when Copeland, who had exited a red Toyota Tacoma and entered the westbound lane for unknown reasons, was hit by a utility trailer towed by a white Dodge Ram driven by Justin Cane Clark, 39, of Junction City.
Copeland was pronounced dead at the scene. Clark and his passenger, Mikala Frances Craigmiles, 38, also of Junction City, were unharmed. The highway was closed for approximately 2.5 hours during the investigation, which was supported by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Halsey Fire Department, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing to investigate the circumstances of the crash.
Information from OSP

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