Editor’s note: This report is based on information submitted by the Oregon State Police. All crashes with fatalities may not be included. The status of incidents might change after further investigation.
FRIDAY, DEC. 13
• 10:53 a.m. — Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 5 in Central Point that took the life of Chalino Tellez Cortez, 19, of Phoenix. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that Cortez was headed north on I-5 at a high rate of speed on a Suzuki GSX-R1000, which was observed by a Jackson County deputy. The deputy was unsuccessful at attempting to pull over the motorcycle. The Suzuki struck the trailer of a semi-truck, driven by a 28-year-old Yuba City, California, man. Cortez was declared deceased at the scene. The truck driver was not injured.
TUESDAY, DEC. 17
• 6:32 a.m. — Troopers responded to a vehicle-pedestrian crash on Interstate 5 about 12 miles south of the Corvallis-Lebanon (Highway 34) exit that took the life of Ronald Hope Cole Jr., 61, of Harrisburg. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that a semi-truck driven by a 56-year-old Harrisburg man struck Cole, who was walking on the road for unknown reasons. Cole was pronounced deceased at the scene. The truck driver was not injured. Investigators are asking any motorists who saw the pedestrian in the area or witnessed the crash to contact OSP’s Northern Command Center at 800-442-0776 or *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone (reference case number #SP24408204).