Four Dead in Series of Oregon Highway Crashes
Klamath County crash highlights string of fatal highway incidents statewide
Klamath County — Four people were killed in separate highway crashes across Oregon over a two-day period, according to multiple news releases issued Wednesday by the Oregon State Police. The incidents occurred in Klamath, Deschutes, Josephine, and Columbia counties and remain under investigation.
Klamath County: Highway 97 Fatal Crash
The most recent fatal crash occurred Tuesday evening in Klamath County.
Oregon State Police responded at approximately 6:40 p.m. on December 16 to a two-vehicle collision on Highway 97 near milepost 255. Investigators say a southbound Chevrolet Silverado 2500, driven by Gordon Travis Gilmer, 37, of Sacramento, California, lost control, crossed into the northbound lane, and struck a Toyota Hilux head-on.
The driver of the Toyota, Triston Charles Morrow, 26, of Chiloquin, was declared deceased at the scene.
Gilmer and a passenger, Christian Octavio Rodriguez, 28, of Rosamond, California, sustained reported minor injuries. A second passenger, James Devon Cozart Jr., 19, of Rancho Cordova, California, was reportedly uninjured.
Highway 97 was impacted for approximately one hour during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Oregon State Police were assisted by Chiloquin Fire and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Deschutes County: Highway 97 Multi-Vehicle Crash
Earlier that same evening, a fatal four-vehicle crash occurred in Deschutes County.
OSP responded at approximately 5:34 p.m. on December 16 to a crash on Highway 97 near milepost 127. Investigators say a southbound Chrysler Pacifica, driven by William Longhway Sargent, 79, of Bend, crossed into the northbound lanes for unknown reasons. The vehicle sideswiped a Land Rover Range Rover and a Chevrolet Tahoe before striking a northbound Freightliner commercial motor vehicle and trailer head-on.
Sargent was declared deceased at the scene. The drivers of the other vehicles involved were reportedly uninjured.
The highway was impacted for approximately four hours. OSP was assisted by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and ODOT.
Josephine County: Highway 199 Crash
Another fatal crash was reported late Monday night in Josephine County.
OSP responded at approximately 11:53 p.m. on December 15 to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 199 near milepost 9. Investigators say a southbound Ford Econoline left the roadway and struck a utility pole.
The driver, Dakota Mcleod Palmer, 27, of Ashland, was transported to a hospital with reported minor injuries. A passenger, Kyle Dewayne King, 50, of Elgin, Texas, was later declared deceased at the hospital.
The highway was not impacted during the investigation. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. OSP was assisted by the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, Rural Metro Fire Department, and ODOT.
Columbia County: Highway 47 Crash
The fourth fatal crash occurred Monday night in Columbia County.
OSP responded at approximately 11:42 p.m. on December 15 to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 47 near milepost 58. Investigators say a southbound Dodge Ram, driven by Todd Alan McCarthy, 60, of Vernonia, left the roadway for unknown reasons and struck a utility pole and trees.
McCarthy was declared deceased at the scene. The highway was impacted for approximately six hours during the investigation.
OSP was assisted by the Vernonia Police Department, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Vernonia Fire Department, and ODOT.
All four crashes remain under investigation.
