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.
SATURDAY, OCT. 17
• 3:31 p.m. — Troopers responded to a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 5 near milepost 190.5 near Eugene that took the life of Carol Jean King, 74, of Springfield. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that King’s southbound Toyota RAV4 was traveling at a high rate of speed toward the McVay Highway off-ramp when it failed to navigate the curve of the ramp. The vehicle left the roadway, rolled over and passed through a thicket of trees before catching fire. King was declared deceased at the scene.
MONDAY, OCT. 19
• 2:09 p.m. — Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 26 near milepost 244 near Vale that took the life of Autumn Jean Hansen, 41, of Vale. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that Hansen’s eastbound Hyundai Santa Fe turned into the path of a westbound Ford Expedition driven by a 62-year-old John Day man. Witnesses reported that the Hyundai may have been attempting a U-turn in front of the Ford and had been seen making a U-turn prior to the crash. Hansen was declared deceased at the scene and was not believed to have been wearing a seatbelt. Three juveniles in the Hyundai were flown to a regional hospital with serious injuries. The Ford’s driver was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries.
• 6:02 p.m. — Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 30 near milepost 18 southeast of Scappoose that took the life of Rachel Ann Mitchell, 57, of Scappoose. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that a westbound Subaru Outback driven by a 48-year-old Columbia City man crossed into the eastbound lanes for unknown reasons and struck Mitchell’s Volkswagen Bug head-on. Mitchell was declared deceased at the scene. The Subaru’s driver was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries.