SERIOUS INJURY TRAFFIC CRASH - HIGHWAY 213 SOUTH OF MOLALLA (PHOTO)
News Release from Oregon State Police
Posted on FlashAlert: February 12th, 2014 4:54 PM
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Four people were injured, one seriously, during a three-vehicle traffic crash Wednesday morning on Highway 213 about two miles south of Molalla.
According to Senior Trooper Dan Swift, on February 12, 2014 at approximately 11:15 a.m., a 1996 Chevrolet pickup driven by DARREN BAKER, age 53, from Oregon City, was eastbound on S. Dryland Road approaching Highway 213 when he failed to stop at a stop sign. The Chevrolet pickup traveled onto Highway 213 and collided into the side of a 2007 Dodge truck driven by BETHANY LAEL, age 59, from Rochester, Washington, that was northbound on Highway 213.
The initial impact caused the Chevrolet pickup to rotationally spin and both driver and passenger, who were not using safety restraints, were ejected as the pickup came to rest in a field along Highway 213.
The Dodge truck also spun around after impact, crossing into the southbound lane were it collided into the side of a 2013 Ford van. The Dodge truck then rolled and came to rest on its top about 25 feet off the highway in a field. The Dodge's driver and passenger, LARRY LAEL, age 76, were using safety restraints. They were transported by ambulance to Silverton Hospital where they were treated and released for minor injuries.
BAKER and passenger RICK SEKNE, age 35, from Molalla, were ejected. SEKNE was transported by ambulance to Oregon Health & Science University with serious injuries. BAKER was treated at the scene for minor injuries but declined transport to a hospital.
The Ford van's driver was using safety restraints and was not injured.
Subsequent investigation led OSP to cited BAKER for Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device - Stop Sign and Failure to Use Safety Belt.
OSP troopers were assisted at the scene by Molalla Fire District, Monitor Fire District, Silverton Ambulance, and ODOT. One lane was closed until the scene was cleared.
OSP and ODOT reminds everyone that we are in the midst of a two-week statewide campaign, February 10 - 23, focusing on properly restraining child passengers, reminding pickup occupants that buckling saves lives, and discouraging texting while driving.
According to ODOT, Oregonians are buckling up at their highest rate ever. For the small percentage of people who don't buckle up, they are twice as likely as belted occupants to die if the vehicle they are in crashes. In 2012, 61 of Oregon's 198 occupant fatalities were reportedly unrestrained.
OSP and ODOT urge everyone, every day, to buckle up every time - morning, noon and night, no matter the vehicle, no matter the age.
Photographs - Oregon State Police
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
According to Senior Trooper Dan Swift, on February 12, 2014 at approximately 11:15 a.m., a 1996 Chevrolet pickup driven by DARREN BAKER, age 53, from Oregon City, was eastbound on S. Dryland Road approaching Highway 213 when he failed to stop at a stop sign. The Chevrolet pickup traveled onto Highway 213 and collided into the side of a 2007 Dodge truck driven by BETHANY LAEL, age 59, from Rochester, Washington, that was northbound on Highway 213.
The initial impact caused the Chevrolet pickup to rotationally spin and both driver and passenger, who were not using safety restraints, were ejected as the pickup came to rest in a field along Highway 213.
The Dodge truck also spun around after impact, crossing into the southbound lane were it collided into the side of a 2013 Ford van. The Dodge truck then rolled and came to rest on its top about 25 feet off the highway in a field. The Dodge's driver and passenger, LARRY LAEL, age 76, were using safety restraints. They were transported by ambulance to Silverton Hospital where they were treated and released for minor injuries.
BAKER and passenger RICK SEKNE, age 35, from Molalla, were ejected. SEKNE was transported by ambulance to Oregon Health & Science University with serious injuries. BAKER was treated at the scene for minor injuries but declined transport to a hospital.
The Ford van's driver was using safety restraints and was not injured.
Subsequent investigation led OSP to cited BAKER for Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device - Stop Sign and Failure to Use Safety Belt.
OSP troopers were assisted at the scene by Molalla Fire District, Monitor Fire District, Silverton Ambulance, and ODOT. One lane was closed until the scene was cleared.
OSP and ODOT reminds everyone that we are in the midst of a two-week statewide campaign, February 10 - 23, focusing on properly restraining child passengers, reminding pickup occupants that buckling saves lives, and discouraging texting while driving.
According to ODOT, Oregonians are buckling up at their highest rate ever. For the small percentage of people who don't buckle up, they are twice as likely as belted occupants to die if the vehicle they are in crashes. In 2012, 61 of Oregon's 198 occupant fatalities were reportedly unrestrained.
OSP and ODOT urge everyone, every day, to buckle up every time - morning, noon and night, no matter the vehicle, no matter the age.
Photographs - Oregon State Police
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
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