No Charges in Death of University of Oregon Student

Lane County prosecutors have concluded there is insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges after a collision that led to the death of a 21 year old University of Oregon student. District Attorney Christopher Parosa said investigators and prosecutors reviewed the facts and found they could not establish that the driver behaved in a way that rose to criminal conduct.

Elizabeth Cardenas Figueroa was struck while riding her bicycle on Hilyard Street near East Eighth Avenue on August 8 and died on August 18. The Eugene Police Department Major Collision Investigation Team determined the crash occurred at about 7:50 p.m. and involved an Audi A4 traveling west on Hilyard Street where the road bends to the west on the north side of East Broadway. Police said the driver proceeded past another vehicle that had stopped at a crosswalk and Cardenas Figueroa was struck as she attempted to cross.

Investigators estimated the Audi was traveling between 32.6 to 35.6 mph at the time of the collision. The posted speed limit on that stretch of Hilyard Street is 25 mph. Police said the driver was not impaired and that no traffic citations were issued in connection with the crash.

After reviewing the collision report, the Major Collision Investigation Team and the Vehicular Homicide Prosecutor agreed with the district attorney that they could not prove the driver’s actions demonstrate a gross deviation from the standard of care a reasonable person would observe in this situation. "No charges will be filed in this case," Parosa said in an email to Lookout on Nov. 12.

The decision closes the criminal inquiry but leaves residents and campus communities seeking answers about roadway safety and risk for pedestrians and bicyclists. Hilyard Street is a major corridor near the university and downtown with high volumes of foot and bicycle traffic. Community members and local officials often point to speed management, intersection design and driver behavior as central factors in preventing collisions.

The outcome underscores differences between criminal liability and civil or policy responses. Criminal charges require proof of a culpable mental state or a gross departure from ordinary care. Traffic engineering changes, targeted enforcement and education campaigns can proceed independently of the criminal process to address recurring safety concerns.

The case drew local attention in part because of the victim’s status as a university student and the location near campus. The district attorney’s decision may prompt renewed discussion among city traffic planners, the university and advocacy groups about crosswalk visibility, signal timing and enforcement priorities. As Eugene continues to manage mobility for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists, officials and residents face choices about investment and policy that can reduce the risk of future tragedies.