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.
SATURDAY, AUG. 24
• 6:25 a.m. — Troopers responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 395C north of Burns that took the life of a 17-year-old boy. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that the teenager was driving south on Highway 395C in a Ford F250 when he failed to negotiate a curve. The vehicle traveled down a steep embankment and struck a tree. The driver was transported via ambulance to Harney District Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
• 12:38 p.m. — Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 224 near Estacada that took the life of Richard Lee Detherage, 71, of Silverton. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that a Ford Focus driven by a 55-year-old Estacada man was headed east on Highway 224 and attempted to turn left into a driveway. The Ford crashed into a westbound Harley Davidson motorcycle operated by Detherage, who was declared deceased at the scene.
MONDAY, AUG. 26
• 11:33 a.m. — Troopers responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 39 about 1 mile east of Merrill that took the lives of Sharon Mae Young, 75, and Helen Loretta Plumlee, 51, both of Alturas, California. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that Young was driving north on Highway 39 in a Chrysler Town and Country when she failed to negotiate a curve the left the roadway. The vehicle went through a fence and struck a tree. Young was declared deceased at the scene. Plumlee, a passenger, was later declared deceased at a medical center. Another passenger in the vehicle, a 66-year-old Alturas man, was transported to the hospital with injuries.
• 4:28 p.m. — Troopers responded to an ATV crash on Forest Service Road 102 near Highway 26 about 16 miles north and east of Prairie City that took the life of Keri Thornock, 38, of Horseshoe Bend, Idaho. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that Thornock was operating a Suzuki Kingquad 750 and lost control traveling down a hill at an intersection, ejecting the operator. Thornock was declared deceased at the scene.
• Time NA — Troopers responded to a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 5 about 5 miles east of Rogue River that took the life of Debbie S. Hyden, 74, of Yucaipa, California. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that a Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by a 74-year-old Medford woman struck a tire from a commercial vehicle that was lying in the slow lane. The Chevrolet lost control and rolled into the median. Hyden, a passenger, was declared deceased at the scene. The driver reportedly suffered minor injuries.
TUESDAY, AUG. 27
• 8:49 a.m. — Troopers responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 20 about 25 miles west of Juntura that claimed the life of Suzan Renee Stewart, 59, of Drewsey. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that Stewart was heading west on Highway 20 in a GMC Terrain and for unknown reasons, drifted off the roadway, traveled down an embankment and struck a boulder. The vehicle became engulfed in flames. Stewart was removed by passing motorists, however, she was declared deceased at the scene.
• 10:58 a.m. — Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 20 about 17 miles north and west of Sisters that took the life of Scarlett Jewell Felder, 18, of Klamath Falls. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that Felder was headed east on Highway 20 in a Tesla Model S when the vehicle crossed into the oncoming lanes and struck head-on a Jeep Wagoneer driven by a 65-year-old Naples, Florida, man. The driver of the Jeep attempted to avoid the collision by moving into the slow lane but was unable to do so. Felder was declared deceased at the scene. The Jeep’s driver reportedly suffered minor injuries and was transported to a hospital for evaluation. Three passengers in the Jeep — a 56-year-old West Linn woman, a 25-year-old West Linn man and a 24-year-old San Diego, California woman, all reportedly suffered moderate injuries and were transported to a hospital for treatment.
• 1:30 p.m. — Troopers responded to a crash involving two semi-trucks on Interstate 84 about 4 miles south of La Grande that took the life of Abdiwasa Abdullahi Alinur, 27, of Portland. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that a Volvo semi driven by Alinur was headed east on I-84 when it struck the rear end of a Kenworth semi operated by a 45-year-old Kent, Washington, driver. The crash forced the Volvo semi across travel lanes, overturning in the median. The driver was ejected from the vehicle and declared deceased at the scene. The Kenworth’s driver was not injured.
— — —
OTHER NEWS
• Aug. 30 — The Oregon State Police Arson Unit assisted with an investigation in Baker City that led to the arrest of three juveniles. On May 22, the Baker City Fire Department and neighboring fire agencies responded to a fire at the vacant Baker City Central Building — the original Baker High School built in 1917. The historic building was a total loss as a result of the fire.
OSP’s investigation revealed that the fire was started intentionally. Through a detailed investigation, three juvenile suspects were identified. In partnership with the Baker City Police Department, Baker County Sheriff’s Office, Baker County Juvenile Department and the Baker County District Attorney’s Office, search warrants were served, and evidence linking the three juveniles to the fire was located.
Additionally, the juveniles have been implicated in stolen firearms cases. All three juvenile suspects are currently in custody.
• Aug. 30 — This week, an Oregon State Police K-9 team seized more than 100 pounds of crystal meth and 11 pounds of suspected fentanyl. On Aug. 26 at 3 p.m., an OSP K-9 unit stopped a Chevrolet pickup headed northbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 223 in Linn County. During the traffic stop, the trooper recognized signs of potential criminal activity and deployed his drug detection K-9.
The K-9 alerted to the likely presence of illegal drugs. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed 104.3 pounds of crystal methamphetamine on the back seat and 11 pounds (5 kilograms) of suspected powder fentanyl under the back seat.
Both the driver, Carlos Antonio Zuniga Diaz, 40, of North Las Vegas, Nevada, and passenger, Sugey Padilla Sanchez, 40, of North Las Vegas, Nevada, were arrested on charges of possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine and delivery of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Both were lodged at the Linn County Jail.
The illegal drugs are believed to have been destined for the Seattle area.