Salem, OR – The city of Salem has agreed to pay $130,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by the father of a teenager who tragically lost her life in a 2020 car crash. The lawsuit claimed that dangerous road conditions in south Salem contributed to the fatal collision, which took place on a section of the road the plaintiff argued had been poorly maintained.
The crash occurred in the early hours of the morning when the victim’s car lost control on a curve, leading to a fatal accident. According to the lawsuit, the victim’s father accused the city of negligence, pointing to hazardous conditions such as worn-out signage and inadequate road maintenance that allegedly made the area dangerous for drivers.
In the settlement agreement, the city of Salem did not admit liability but agreed to the financial settlement to avoid prolonged litigation. The funds from the settlement will be directed to the family, though the city has pledged to review road safety in the area to prevent future incidents.
While the settlement resolves the legal matter, the family remains committed to raising awareness about road safety issues in the city. The victim’s father has expressed a desire for improvements to the infrastructure that could potentially save lives in the future.
The city has faced increasing scrutiny over its road maintenance practices in recent years, with local residents urging better oversight and faster repairs to dangerous stretches of road. City officials have stated that they are actively working to address road safety concerns across Salem, though some residents feel that change has been too slow.
This settlement marks another chapter in ongoing discussions about the safety of public roads and the responsibilities of local governments to maintain them properly.
