Editor's note: This story was updated at 7:49 p.m. April 21.
A male juvenile died from injuries sustained in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 34 near Grange Hall Road in Philomath on Saturday afternoon, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office reported.
According to a preliminary investigation, a 21-year-old woman was driving west on Highway 34 in a Ford F-350 when she struck the rear of a Ford Escape that was turning east onto Grange Hall Road.
The juvenile that lost his life in the crash was a backseat passenger in the Escape. He was pronounced deceased while being transported to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis.
The Escape’s driver and a front-seat passenger sustained minor injuries and were treated at the hospital. The F-350’s driver and a passenger were reportedly not injured.
BCSO said the driver of the F-350 is cooperating with investigators. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. A release on the crash does not identify the victim or others involved.
Highway 34 at Grange Hall Road was closed for approximately three hours while investigators processed the scene.
Investigators asked anyone that has additional information or witnessed the crash to contact BCSO at BentonCoSheriff@bentoncountyor.gov or the agency’s tip line at 541-753-8477 (reference case No. 2025-01009).