Pedestrian dies in early morning collision, investigation ongoing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: September 14, 2025
CONTACT: Salem Police Communications Office | [email protected]

Salem, Ore. - At approximately 2:19 a.m. on September 14, 2025, Salem police responded to the 4400 block of Commercial St SE following the report of a vehicle-pedestrian collision.

According to a preliminary investigation by the Salem Police Traffic Team, a 2011 Mercedes SUV, driven by Cameron M. Smith, 27, of Salem, was traveling in the southbound lanes of Commercial St SE when his vehicle struck a pedestrian, Brittany Jade Hochstetler, 32, of Salem, who was in the roadway just south of Hilfiker Ln SE.

Despite life-saving efforts by nearby witnesses and officers on scene, Hochstetler was pronounced deceased at the scene. Smith remained at the location and cooperated with investigators. Next of kin notification has been completed.

The roadway remained closed during the investigation and reopened at approximately 4:30 a.m.

The collision investigation is ongoing, and no additional details are available for release.

This incident is Salem's sixth fatal traffic collision of 2025, resulting in six fatalities.

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