A two-vehicle crash involving a pickup and an SUV Wednesday afternoon on Highway 34 sent two women in their 70s to the hospital with serious injuries, Philomath Fire and Rescue reported.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene of the crash at 12:40 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 34 and Bevens Park Lane, which is located less than 2 miles from the highway’s intersection with Highway 20.
Deputy Fire Chief Rich Saalsaa said the pickup, a Ford FX4 with a male driver, was headed south on Highway 34 when it struck the rear end of a Chevrolet Trailblazer with two female occupants.
Saalsaa said the driver exited the car on her own and the passenger had to be placed on a backboard and carried out. They were transported in separate Corvallis Fire ambulances to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.
Philomath Fire and Rescue’s response included two engines and five personnel, an incident commander and a duty officer. The Philomath Police Department and Benton County Sheriff’s Office also responded.
Highway 34 was closed for approximately 20 minutes during the operation.