MEC&F Expert Engineers : 3 DEADLY CRASHES ANNOUNCED BY THE OREGON STATE POLICE

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

3 DEADLY CRASHES ANNOUNCED BY THE OREGON STATE POLICE





 

DEADLY CRASHES ANNOUNCED BY THE OREGON STATE POLICE



Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash on HWY 38 near Elkton (Photo) - 01/31/15
 
Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers in Coos Bay are continuing the investigation into yesterday's fatal head-on crash on Highway 38 at Paradise Road, near Elkton.

Preliminary information from the scene indicates that at approximately 3:45 p.m., a black, 2012 Honda CR-V, operated by HEATHER R. FRIEDRICH, age 44, of North Bend, was eastbound when it crossed the centerline into the westbound lanes and hit a tan, 2004 Toyota Camry, driven by KATHLEEN D. HANDCOCK, 57 of Coos Bay, which was westbound. The front passenger in the Camry, VIRGINIA L. WHALEN-JENNINGS, 59, of Coquille, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

FRIEDRICH was transported to Lower Umpqua Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. HANDCOCK and her rear passenger were transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend with non-life threatening injuries.

The highway was blocked for several hours as troopers investigated and reconstructed the crash. The Oregon Department of Transportation responded to assist and a traffic detour was established.

OSP was assisted at the scene by the Oregon Department of Transportation, Douglas County Sheriff's Office, and Elkton Rural Fire Protection District. No citations have been issued at this time however, investigative findings will be forwarded to the Douglas County District Attorney for review.


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Fatal Traffic Crash I-5 at MP 110 - Douglas County (Photo) - 01/29/15
 
Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into this afternoons fatal traffic crash on I-5 near milepost 110 in Douglas County - near Roseburg.

Preliminary information indicates that at approximately 4:45 P.M, a black Ford Focus operated by JONATHAN W. GRAHAM, 58, of Myrtle Creek, was northbound on I-5 near milepost 110. The Focus drifted into a the traffic barrier and crashed sustaining heavy front and side damage.

GRAHAM was transported to Mercy Medical Center and later to River Bend Hospital in Springfield where he died from his injuries.

The freeway remained open during the investigation.

OSP was assisted at the scene by the Oregon Department of Transportation, Myrtle Creek Police Department and the Myrtle Creek Fire Department. Photographs will be added when they become available.

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Double Fatal Crash HWY 99@ at Milliron Road - Junction City (Photo)

01/29/15

Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into this morning's three-vehicle, double fatality crash on HWY 99W near Milliron (pronounced Mill Iron) road near Junction City in Lane County.

Preliminary investigation indicates that shortly before 7:00 A.M., on January 29, a red, 1991 Ford Explorer, driven by JACOB W. HARPER LEONARD, age 29, of Junction City, was northbound on HWY 99W near Milliron Road in Lane County, when for unknown reasons he crossed over the center median and into the southbound lanes of travel. The Explorer collided head-on with a southbound maroon Honda CR-V, operated by DANIELLE M. ROBERTS, 25, of Springfield. The CR-V was then struck by a loaded 2010 Kenworth log truck driven by SCOTT L. WOOD, age 55, of Veneta.

The driver of the Explorer, HARPER LEONARD, was critically injured during the crash and transported via ambulance to River Bend Hospital in Springfield. His passenger, identified as BRANDON J. FOSTER, 25, of Junction City, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The driver of the CR-V, ROBERTS, was pronounced deceased at the scene also. The driver of the log-truck, WOOD, was not injured during the crash and is cooperating with investigators.

OSP was assisted at the scene by the Oregon Department of Transportation, Lane Rural Fire District, Lane Fire Authority and Junction City Fire Department.

Original Release
Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are on-scene of a three vehicle crash on HWY 99W near Milliron Road - in Lane County near Junction City.

Preliminary information indicates as many as three vehicles were involved in a crash and two people have died. The Oregon Department of Transportation and the Fire Department have coordinated a detour around the closure.