One person died and a second person escaped his burning vehicle with minor injuries following a two vehicle head-on crash on Highway 20 east of Eddyville. Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers from the Newport Area Command office are continuing the investigation. The victim’s name is withheld pending next of kin notification.
According to Sergeant Cari Boyd, on August 10, 2012 at approximately 2:10 p.m. a passenger car driven by an adult male was eastbound on Highway 20 near milepost 29 when it attempted to pass another vehicle in a no passing zone. A commercial truck pulling a loaded chip trailer driven by Ronald R. Ford, age 49, from Eugene, was westbound when the car came into his lane of travel. FORD couldn’t avoid the car and both collided head-on.
The car’s driver was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Ford escaped his truck as it became engulfed in flames and later totaled because of the fire. FORD had minor injuries and wasn’t taken to a hospital from the scene but later was going to be examined by a doctor.
Both were using safety restraints.
The scene extended approximately a half mile causing the highway to be closed several hours during the incident response and investigation.
OSP was assisted at the scene by Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office, Lincoln County Medical Examiner, Toledo Fire Department and ODOT.
News Release and Photograph – Oregon State Police