Editor’s note: This report is based on information submitted by Oregon State Police. Not all fatal crashes may be included. The status of incidents might change after further investigation.
MONDAY, OCT. 5
• 2:08 p.m. — Troopers responded to a single-vehicle crash on the on-ramp to southbound Interstate 205 from Southeast Sunnybrook Boulevard in Clackamas County that took the life of Corey Neal Sharer, 57, of Portland. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that Sharer’s Ford F-250 pickup appeared to be racing a sportbike-style motorcycle when it left the lane of travel for unknown reasons, struck a concrete barrier and rolled several times before coming to rest on the shoulder. Sharer was pronounced deceased at the scene. The motorcycle’s operator has not been identified.
TUESDAY, OCT. 13
• 6:22 p.m. — Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 26 east of Government Camp in Wasco County that took the life of Craig Gerard Russillo, 55, of Bend. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that a westbound Ford Transit van driven by Alexander Nikkole Meira, 20, of Portland, crossed into the eastbound lane and struck Russillo’s Subaru Outback head-on. The Subaru caught fire, and several passersby pulled Russillo from the vehicle. Russillo was pronounced deceased at the scene. Meira was treated at an area hospital for minor injuries. OSP reported that impairment was believed to have been a contributing factor. Meira was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving and second-degree manslaughter and was lodged at the Northern Oregon Regional Corrections Facility.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14
• 1:18 p.m. — Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 97 near the Cow Canyon Rest Area south of Shaniko in Wasco County that took the life of Mary Elizabeth Auch Hankins, 75, of Portland. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that Auch Hankins’ Toyota Venza pulled in front of a southbound semitruck pulling a box trailer to make a left turn. The semitruck, driven by a 32-year-old Yuba City, California, man, struck the Toyota and pushed it over an embankment. Both vehicles came to rest off the east shoulder. Auch Hankins was pronounced deceased at the scene. A passenger in the Toyota, an 80-year-old Portland man, was transported by Life Flight to an area hospital with serious injuries. The semitruck driver was not injured and remained at the scene.