UPDATE: DOUBLE FATAL TRAFFIC CRASH - INTERSTATE 84 EAST OF PENDLETON IN UMATILLA COUNTY (PHOTO)
News Release from Oregon State Police
Posted on FlashAlert: March 3rd, 2014 5:35 PM
Downloadable file: 030214.fatal.i84_mp221.2.jpg
After approximately 16 hours of crash scene investigation, Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into the manner of multiple crashes involving commercial motor vehicles Sunday night along Interstate 84 east of Pendleton that resulted in the death of two me n. The victims' names and additional related information will be released Tuesday.
According to Lieutenant Mike Turner, on March 2, 2014 at approximately 7:30 p.m., OSP troopers, ODOT and local emergency responders were dispatched to reports of numerous traffic crashes in the area of Interstate 84 near milepost 221. Several crashes occurred in reported heavy fog on icy roads, most involving commercial motor vehicles.
Preliminary information indicates a commercial truck was westbound when the driver lost control on ice and crashed on the side of the road with the trailer partially resting on the roadway. Two commercial truck drivers unexpectedly drove upon the crash scene, both crashing into the first crashed commercial trailer. During the secondary collision, a 51-year old male driver from Texas was ejected and pronounced deceased. A second 51-year old male who is from Washington was found inside his truck and pronounced deceased. A fourth commercial motor vehicle crashed into the two commercial motor vehicles involved in the second collision and its occupants had minor injuries.
Despite other minor injuries reported, no other persons are known at this time to have been taken to a hospital. There is no information indicating passenger vehicle involvement.
OSP troopers and collision reconstructionists from the Pendleton and La Grande offices, with the assistance of ODOT's Motor Carrier Transportation enforcement officers, worked the scenes that covered an extensive area overnight and today.
The westbound lanes were closed following the crashes and re-opened Monday about 2:25 p.m. after two companies removed the involved crashed commercial motor vehicles.
No other information available for release at this time.
Photographs - Oregon State Police
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
According to Lieutenant Mike Turner, on March 2, 2014 at approximately 7:30 p.m., OSP troopers, ODOT and local emergency responders were dispatched to reports of numerous traffic crashes in the area of Interstate 84 near milepost 221. Several crashes occurred in reported heavy fog on icy roads, most involving commercial motor vehicles.
Preliminary information indicates a commercial truck was westbound when the driver lost control on ice and crashed on the side of the road with the trailer partially resting on the roadway. Two commercial truck drivers unexpectedly drove upon the crash scene, both crashing into the first crashed commercial trailer. During the secondary collision, a 51-year old male driver from Texas was ejected and pronounced deceased. A second 51-year old male who is from Washington was found inside his truck and pronounced deceased. A fourth commercial motor vehicle crashed into the two commercial motor vehicles involved in the second collision and its occupants had minor injuries.
Despite other minor injuries reported, no other persons are known at this time to have been taken to a hospital. There is no information indicating passenger vehicle involvement.
OSP troopers and collision reconstructionists from the Pendleton and La Grande offices, with the assistance of ODOT's Motor Carrier Transportation enforcement officers, worked the scenes that covered an extensive area overnight and today.
The westbound lanes were closed following the crashes and re-opened Monday about 2:25 p.m. after two companies removed the involved crashed commercial motor vehicles.
No other information available for release at this time.
Photographs - Oregon State Police
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
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