CORRECTION: UPDATE #2: SECOND PERSON DIES; NAMES RELEASED - FATAL TRAFFIC CRASH - HIGHWAY 126W BETWEEN VENETA AND EUGENE (PHOTO)
News Release from Oregon State Police
Posted on FlashAlert: July 17th, 2014 11:43 AM
Correction: Lane Fire Authority, not Eugene Springfield Fire, assisted at the scene.
***
Oregon State Police (OSP) confirmed that a second person died following Wednesday afternoon's two vehicle head-on crash on Highway 126W between Veneta and Eugene. OSP is continuing the investigation into the cause of the crash. The names of both drivers are released in this udpate.
On July 16, 2014 at approximately 1:10 p.m., a 2008 Toyota Prius driven by BRUNHILDE MARIA WATKINS, age 78, from Veneta, was westbound on Highway 126W near milepost 50. For an unconfirmed reason, the Toyota traveled across the centerline and collided head-on with an eastbound 1986 Toyota 4Runner sport utility vehicle driven by KIRK GERARD RINALDI, age 47, from Dorena.
WATKINS was pronounced deceased at the scene.
RINALDI was extricated by firefighters and transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend with serious injuries. According to the Lane County Medical Examiner's Office, RINALDI died early Thursday morning at the hospital.
Both drivers were believed to be using safety restraints.
OSP troopers from the Springfield Area Command office are investigating.
OSP was assisted at the scene by Lane County Sheriff's Office, Lane Fire Authority, and ODOT. The highway was blocked and a detour in place until it was re-opened about 4:30 p.m.
Photograph - Oregon State Police
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
***
Oregon State Police (OSP) confirmed that a second person died following Wednesday afternoon's two vehicle head-on crash on Highway 126W between Veneta and Eugene. OSP is continuing the investigation into the cause of the crash. The names of both drivers are released in this udpate.
On July 16, 2014 at approximately 1:10 p.m., a 2008 Toyota Prius driven by BRUNHILDE MARIA WATKINS, age 78, from Veneta, was westbound on Highway 126W near milepost 50. For an unconfirmed reason, the Toyota traveled across the centerline and collided head-on with an eastbound 1986 Toyota 4Runner sport utility vehicle driven by KIRK GERARD RINALDI, age 47, from Dorena.
WATKINS was pronounced deceased at the scene.
RINALDI was extricated by firefighters and transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend with serious injuries. According to the Lane County Medical Examiner's Office, RINALDI died early Thursday morning at the hospital.
Both drivers were believed to be using safety restraints.
OSP troopers from the Springfield Area Command office are investigating.
OSP was assisted at the scene by Lane County Sheriff's Office, Lane Fire Authority, and ODOT. The highway was blocked and a detour in place until it was re-opened about 4:30 p.m.
Photograph - Oregon State Police
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
Sent via FlashAlert Newswire. Replies to this message do not go back to the sender.
Go to http://FlashAlert.net/login.html to change or delete these messages.
Go to http://FlashAlert.net/login.html to change or delete these messages.
