A Hero’s Sacrifice on the Highway | Portland News

A heartbreaking crash on I-84 claimed the life of a stranded motorist and critically injured Oregon DOT worker Roger Birkeland, a ten-year veteran who’d long advocated for safer work zones. Struck while helping an elderly man change a tire, Birkeland suffered life-altering injuries including a shattered spine and broken limbs. His daughter’s wedding is now a bittersweet milestone as she hopes he’ll walk her down the aisle—even in a wheelchair. The driver remains unharmed and charges are pending. With 621 work-zone crashes and 14 deaths reported in Oregon this year alone, Birkeland’s family urges drivers to heed the Move Over law and prioritize roadside worker safety—while rallying support through a fundraiser to cover his mounting medical bills. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/2b78ec09fd6bd912