Salem, OR – The husband of a Salem cyclist tragically killed in a collision in 2023 has filed a lawsuit against a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent, the agent’s federal employer, and the City of Salem. The lawsuit claims that the agent’s reckless driving during a surveillance operation directly caused the fatal crash, and that both the DEA and the city are responsible for the incident due to their failure to properly train the agent and establish adequate traffic policies.
The incident occurred in the early hours of June 2023, when the cyclist, a well-known figure in Salem’s community, was struck by a DEA vehicle while the agent was conducting surveillance for a federal investigation. According to the lawsuit, the agent was driving at a high rate of speed and failed to follow basic traffic laws, ultimately causing the crash that led to the cyclist’s death.
In addition to naming the DEA agent, the lawsuit holds the agency accountable for allegedly failing to provide sufficient training for agents on how to drive safely and responsibly during surveillance activities. Furthermore, the suit contends that the DEA’s policies regarding when agents are allowed to break traffic laws are vague and inadequate, allowing for dangerous behavior on the road.
The City of Salem is also named in the lawsuit, accused of inadequate oversight of local law enforcement practices and failing to ensure that the agent was properly trained for operating a vehicle in a high-stakes situation. The plaintiff’s legal team argues that both the federal and local authorities bear responsibility for the deadly incident.
The lawsuit seeks financial compensation for the victim’s family and aims to raise awareness about law enforcement driving practices, especially during surveillance operations. Attorneys representing the victim’s family stated that the case is not just about seeking justice for a personal loss, but also about creating systemic change to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
As the case progresses, it may have broader implications for law enforcement agencies, possibly leading to a reevaluation of policies concerning high-speed driving, surveillance activities, and the safety of the public.
