ASTORIA, Ore. – A woman who was delivering newspapers died after she was pinned underneath her car on a steep, icy Astoria street Thursday morning.
Authorities identified the woman as Debra Kay Burnett, 50, of Astoria. She was delivering newspapers for The Oregonian.
Burnett stopped her Honda Accord, turned the wheels and walked behind the car to put de-icer on the road around 9:30 a.m., witnesses said.
While her back was turned, the car began to slide down the hill. The wheels caught Burnett’s leg and slowly rolled over her body.
“The car was coming at her. She screamed at the top of her lungs. And that was it. She was under the car," said neighbor Sean Raffington.
A neighbor called 911 after seeing the accident. He said Burnett was initially responsive but she lost consciousness.
“They were trying to get her by rubbing her hand, saying ‘Hey are you OK?’ There was not really a response,” Raffington said.
Burnett died at the scene.
The President of Oregonian Media Group, John Maher, released a statement Thursday evening.
"We are saddened to hear the news that an independent dealer of The Oregonian was killed this morning in a tragic accident related to the winter weather conditions," Maher said.
"This individual played an important role in providing service to the Astoria community for several years. We have reached out to the family of the victim to offer our most sincere condolences," he continued.