An 18-year-old Philomath man lost his life Saturday morning in a one-vehicle rollover crash on Kings Valley Highway. Tyler Smouse lived with his family in the Wren vicinity and was a senior in the Philomath School District.
“This is a heartbreaking loss for a family and a close-knit community,” Benton County Sheriff Jef Van Arsdall said in a news release. “Our thoughts are with Tyler’s loved ones as they navigate this unimaginable tragedy.”
Mark Henderson, Philomath High principal, echoed the sheriff’s statement and added that the loss can also be felt beyond the family.
“It’s also tough on our students and staff,” he said. “Anytime you lose a young person like this, it impacts the entire school community.”
Smouse was a student at Philomath Academy and had completed graduation requirements. He was also taking forestry classes at Philomath High.
“Our sincere condolences to family and friends,” Superintendent of Schools Susan Halliday said.
Emergency responders were dispatched at 10:23 a.m. May 9 to the area of the crash, located about a third of a mile south of Beazell Memorial Forest. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Hoskins-Kings Valley Rural Fire and Philomath Fire and Rescue were among those called to the scene.
A preliminary investigation indicates the vehicle left the roadway for an unknown reason and rolled over. As of Monday, the crash remained under investigation by the BCSO crash team. Smouse was the only occupant in the vehicle, a 1987 Ford Ranger. He was declared deceased at the scene.
Kings Valley Highway was closed for approximately 3-1/2 hours during the investigation and cleanup of debris off the roadway.
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office asks anyone who witnessed the crash or has information related to the incident to contact the investigating deputy at BentonCoSheriff@bentoncountyor.gov.
BCSO thanked the responding agencies, which in addition to the fire departments also included the Oregon Department of Transportation, Corvallis Regional Communications Center and Willamette Valley First Responder Chaplains.