Fatal US97 Crash in Klamath County Among Three Dead Statewide
Oregon State Police investigating deadly incidents in Klamath, Clatsop, and Jefferson counties
KLAMATH COUNTY, Ore. — Oregon State Police responded to three fatal traffic incidents across Oregon over the weekend, beginning with a deadly two-vehicle crash Friday evening on Highway 97 in Klamath County.
Klamath County — Highway 97
According to OSP, the crash occurred Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at approximately 6:20 p.m. on Highway 97 near milepost 228.
The preliminary investigation indicated a Ford F-450, operated by Douglas Alan Fordyce, 61, of Caldwell, Idaho, was stopped westbound on Silver Lake Road at the intersection with Highway 97. The vehicle attempted to enter the highway and was struck by a southbound Freightliner commercial motor vehicle and trailer operated by Sebastian Mercado Juarez, 29, of Fresno, California, resulting in a side-impact collision.
Fordyce was declared deceased at the scene.
The Freightliner driver and a passenger, Christian Mercado Juarez, 31, of Fresno, California, sustained reported minor injuries.
Highway 97 was impacted for approximately two hours during the on-scene investigation. OSP was assisted by Chiloquin Fire and Rescue, Chemult Rural Fire District, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Clatsop County — Highway 26
A second fatal crash was reported Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at approximately 1:46 p.m. on Highway 26 near milepost 1 in Clatsop County.
OSP investigators said a westbound Subaru Forester, operated by Smith Ward Humphreys, 47, of Warrenton, crossed into the eastbound lanes while attempting to pass westbound vehicles and collided with an eastbound Toyota Rav4 driven by Daysy Vanesa Camarena, 37, of Whittier, California.
Humphreys was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Camarena and a passenger, Joshua Zeke Camarena, 33, of Whittier, California, suffered reported serious injuries and were transported to an area hospital.
The highway was impacted for approximately four hours during the investigation. OSP was assisted by the Seaside Fire Department and ODOT.
Jefferson County — Highway 97
The third fatal incident occurred Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at approximately 11:43 a.m. on Highway 97 near milepost 101 in Jefferson County.
OSP said a Ford Explorer operated by James Edwin Legore, 63, of Sandy, Utah, was stopped on the shoulder of the roadway and began merging into the northbound lanes when it struck a pedestrian, Jared Elijah Cooper, 38, of Madras.
Cooper was declared deceased at the scene. Legore was reportedly uninjured.
Highway 97 was impacted for approximately five hours while investigators worked at the scene. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. OSP was assisted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and ODOT.
