On Saturday, February 25, 2023, at approximately 3:40 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a two vehicle crash on Hwy 26, near milepost 59, in Clackamas County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a Subaru Outback, operated by Althea Spahn (26) of Beaverton, was westbound on Hwy 26 with 4 passengers. The Subaru lost control, spun out, crossed into the eastbound lane, and was struck by an oncoming ODOT snowplow, operated by Jessie White (29) of Troutdale.
Two passengers of the Subaru, Lillian Alma Spahn (24) of Portland and Micah Paul Strauss (28) of Portland, were pronounced deceased at the scene.
The three surviving occupants of the Subaru and the operator of the ODOT snowplow were transported to local hospitals for medical treatment.
The roadway was closed for approximately 6 hours while the on-scene investigation was conducted. Poor road conditions have been determined to be a significant contributor to this crash.
OSP was assisted by AMR, Hoodland Fire, ODOT, the Clackamas County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Clackamas County District Attorney’s office.
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Update- Guilty Plea- OSP Fish & Wildlife Division seeks public assistance in poached Elk- Union County (Photo) – 02/23/23
On October 1, 2022, the opening day of the rifle deer season, deer hunters contacted Oregon State Troopers to advise they had located a deceased bull elk. The bull elk was located on private timber company lands off Kingsbury Lane north of Elgin, Oregon in the Wenaha Wildlife Management Unit. Fish and Wildlife Troopers responded to the scene and determined the bull elk had been shot from Kingsbury Lane with a rifle and had been left to waste. The elk had been shot a couple of days prior and no part of the elk had been removed or any attempt to salvage the meat had been taken.
With the public’s assistance, Troopers developed a suspect in the case. Cody Murrill, (42) of Elgin, Oregon, was interviewed, cited, and released to appear in court for criminal charges of Unlawful Take of a Branch Antlered Bull Elk and Waste of Wildlife.
On January 20, 2023, Cody Murrill appeared in the Union County Circuit Court and plead guilty to the charges. He was sentenced to 10 days in jail; 12 months’ probation; forfeiture of the rifle used in the unlawful taking, and $440 in fines.
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The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is asking for the public’s help in locating the individual or individuals responsible for the poaching of a branch antlered bull elk in the Wenaha wildlife management unit, north of Elgin, Oregon. It is believed the bull elk was shot with a rifle on the evening of Friday, September 30, 2022, one day prior to the opening of the controlled rifle buck deer season. The bull was shot on private timber lands off Kingsbury Lane near Darr Road. No part of the elk was removed, and the bull was left to waste.
OSP Fish & Wildlife Division is urging anyone with information about this case to call the Oregon State Police Tip-line at 1-800-452-7888, *OSP (*677), or email at TIP@osp.oregon.gov. Please reference case number SP22-265831
***Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators***
The Turn In Poachers (TIP) program offers preference points or cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation, to a suspect, for the unlawful killing of wildlife, and or waste of big game. Cash rewards can also be awarded for turning in people who destroy habitat, illegally obtain licenses/tags, and for unlawful lending/borrowing of big game tags. Learn more: https://www.oregon.gov/osp/programs/fw/Pages/tip.aspx
PREFERENCE POINT REWARDS:
* 5 Points-Mountain Sheep
* 5 Points-Rocky Mountain Goat
* 5 Points-Moose
* 5 Points-Wolf
* 4 Points-Elk
* 4 Points-Deer
* 4 Points-Antelope
* 4 Points-Bear
* 4 Points-Cougar
Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) Cash Rewards:
* $1,000 Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, and Moose
* $500 Elk, Deer, and Antelope
* $300 Bear, Cougar, and Wolf
* $300 Habitat Destruction
* $200 – Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags
* $200 – Unlawful Lending/Borrowing Big Game Tag(s)
* $100 Upland Birds and Waterfowl
* $100 Game Birds or Furbearers
* $100 Game Fish and Shellfish
Oregon Wildlife Coalition (OWC) Cash Rewards:
Birds
$500 Hawk, Falcon, Eagle, Owl, Osprey
All other protected avian species: see category below for listed species
Mammals
$500 Cougar, Bobcat, Beaver (public lands only), Black bears, Bighorn Sheep, Marten, Fisher, Sierra Nevada Red Fox
Species listed as “threatened” or “endangered” under state or federal Endangered Species Act (excludes fish)
$1,000 (e.g. wolf, wolverine, kit fox, red tree vole, Canada lynx, sea otter, Columbian white-tailed deer, California brown pelican, western snowy plover, California least tern, northern spotted owl, marbled murrelet, short-tailed albatross, streaked horned lark, yellow-billed cuckoo, leatherback sea turtle, olive ridley sea turtle, Oregon spotted frog, green sea turtle, loggerhead sea turtle)
On Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at approximately 9:38 A.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a two vehicle crash on Hwy 97, at the intersection with Hwy 197, in Wasco County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a Lincoln MKZ (passenger car), operated by Richard Evar Fridell (75) of Shaniko, was traveling southbound on Hwy 97 when a northbound GMC Savana (box truck), operated by Vitaliy Solomko (49) of Federal Way (WA), attempted to make a left turn in front of the southbound Lincoln. Both vehicle operators attempted to avoid a collision, however the vehicles collided nearly head-on.
A passenger in the Lincoln, Mary Jane Wright (76) of Shaniko, was declared deceased at the scene. The vehicle operators suffered minor injuries, which resulted in neither being transported by ambulance for treatment.
The highway was closed for approximately a half an hour while the on-scene investigation was conducted.
OSP was assisted by Jefferson County Fire and ODOT.
Update: Correction- Gonzalo Martinez III was an active duty Soldier in the U.S. Army.
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On Sunday, February 19, 2023, at approximately 6:23 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a crash on Hwy 30, near milepost 60, in Columbia County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a military convoy traveling westbound on Hwy 30 had stopped on the westbound shoulder to address an unknown mechanical issue. A Humvee style vehicle associated with the convoy traveling eastbound had stopped in the eastbound passing lane. Two National Guardsmen exited the stopped Humvee to aid the convoy in addressing the mechanical issue. One of the Guardsmen, Gonzalo Martinez III (29) of Cleveland (TX) was struck by an eastbound 1997 Chevrolet pickup, operated by Richard L. Erickson (72) of Clatskanie, who was also traveling in the left lane. The Chevrolet then crashed into the parked Humvee. The driver of the Chevrolet pickup and the military member, were both transported to St. John’s Hospital in Longview (WA). The driver of the Chevrolet pickup remains in stable condition and the military member, Martinez III, was pronounced deceased.
The highway was closed for approximately 6 hours while the on-scene investigation was conducted. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
OSP was assisted by the Columbia County Sheriffs’ Office, Clatskanie Fire, and ODOT.
On Friday, February 17, 2023 at approximately 3:05 P.M., the Oregon State Police and emergency personnel responded to a two vehicle crash on Hwy 47, near milepost 74, north of NW Nowakowki Rd., near Vernonia.
The preliminary investigation indicated a green 1999 Subaru Legacy wagon, operated by Destanie King (26) of Vernonia, was traveling northbound on HWY 47 when for unknown reasons the Legacy crossed into the oncoming lane, with the passenger side now facing north, while in the southbound lane, colliding with the front of a southbound red 2014 Subaru Outback Wagon. King, who was not wearing a seatbelt, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The operator of the 2014 Subaru Outback, Claire Colburn-Collier (65) of San Pablo (CA) and her passenger, Michael Collier (66) of San Pablo (CA), were transported by air to Legacy Emanuel with life threatening injuries. Michael Collier was pronounced deceased from his injuries on February 18th.
The highway was closed for approximately 3 hours while the on-scene investigation was conducted.
The Oregon State Police were assisted by the Washington Co. Sheriff’s Office, Banks Fire, and ODOT.
On Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at approximately 9:25 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Interstate 84, near milepost 217, in Umatilla County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a silver Honda Pilot, operated by Zoe Ann Marshall (53) of Bonney Lake (WA), was eastbound on I-84 when the vehicle lost control and rolled multiple times. The operator was ejected from the vehicle during the crash and was declared deceased at the scene.
The highway was closed for approximately 4 hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash has not be determined.
OSP was assisted by the Umatilla Tribal Police Department, the Umatilla Tribal Fire Department and ODOT.
On Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at approximately 6:45 A.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a two vehicle crash on Hwy 18, near milepost 48.5, in Yamhill County.
The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound red Datsun (Toyota) pickup, operated by Ruben Granados Zanchez (67) of McMinnville, lost control on the icy road and slid into the westbound lanes where it was t-boned by a gray Subaru WRX, operated by Jered Jin Hartman (36) of Tigard. The operator of the Datsun was pronounced deceased at the scene. The operator of the Subaru was transported to a local hospital for medical care.
The highway was shut down for approximately 3 hours during the on-scene investigation.
OSP was assisted by the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office, McMinnville PD, McMinnville Fire, and ODOT.
On Monday, February 13, 2023, at approximately 7:39 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Hwy 7, near mile post 44.5, in Baker County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a dark colored Ford F250, operated by Jason W. Dexter (50) of Baker City, left the roadway by way of the right shoulder for an undetermined reason. The F250 struck the rock wall and rolled onto the driver’s side. The operator was not wearing a seatbelt and was partially ejected outside the driver’s side window when the F250 rolled onto its side. The operator was pinned under the F250, delaying the response of emergency responders. The operator was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The roadway was closed for approximately 4 hours during the on-scene investigation.
OSP was assisted by the Baker County Sheriff’s Office and ODOT.
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Update: Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest and Drug Seizure- Jefferson County (Photo) – 02/13/23
Update: Luz Maria Ramirez-Gutierrez (42) is from Yakima, Washington and Reyna Paola Marin-Ramirez (20) is from Kennewick, Washington.
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On February 12, 2023, at approximately 7:20 P.M., an Oregon State Police Trooper stopped a vehicle for speeding on Highway 97 near E street in Madras.
During the stop, the Trooper noticed signs of criminal activity, and a consent to search the vehicle was conducted. During the search of the vehicle, the Trooper located over 7 pounds of Methamphetamine.
The occupants of the vehicle, identified as Luz Maria Ramirez-Gutierrez (42) and Reyna Paola Marin-Ramirez (20) Washington, were lodged at the Jefferson County Jail for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Manufacture of a Controlled Substance and Attempted Distribution of Commercial Quantities of Methamphetamine.
OSP Troopers were assisted during the investigation by Detectives from the OSP-Criminal Investigations Division-Drug Enforcement Section (Domestic Highway Enforcement Initiative), Special Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration – Bend Task Force, and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.
The Oregon State Police-Domestic Highway Enforcement Initiative is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).
The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives, including the OSP-DHE Initiative.
On Thursday, February 9, 2023, at approximately 10:15 A.M., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 101 near milepost 213.
Preliminary investigation revealed a red Ford Mustang, traveling northbound on Highway 101, crossed the center line and crashed head-on into a southbound red Chevrolet Silverado towing a trailered boat.
The driver of the mustang, identified as Dustin Ray Fish (36) of Coquille, Oregon, was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the Silverado was transported to an area hospital with injuries.
The Oregon State Police was assisted by Winchester Bay Fire, Reedsport Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Reedsport Fire, Lower Umpqua Ambulance Service, and Southern Oregon Chaplains.
Drug Seizure
Contact Leads to an Arrest and Drug Seizure- Marion County (Photo) – 02/09/23
On Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at approximately 10:08 A.M., an Oregon State Police Trooper located a 2013 Hyundai SUV at the Santiam Rest Area off Interstate-5, near milepost 240. The Trooper, part of an OSP K-9 Team, made observations of the vehicle that led him to believe the driver was involved in criminal activity. After a conversation with the driver furthered the Trooper’s reasonable suspicion to believe criminal activity was occurring, a vehicle search was conducted. The Trooper located approximately 1.4 kilograms of fentanyl powder concealed in the vehicle.
The driver, identified as Arlin Barahon-Erazo (18) from Oakland, California, was taken into custody and lodged in the Marion County Jail.
OSP Troopers were assisted during the investigation by Detectives from the OSP-Criminal Investigations Division-Drug Enforcement Section (Domestic Highway Enforcement Initiative) and the Drug Enforcement Administration – Salem.
The Oregon State Police-Domestic Highway Enforcement Initiative is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).
The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives, including the OSP-DHE Initiative.
On Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at approximately 9:00 A.M., Oregon State Police and emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 58, milepost 59.
Preliminary investigation revealed a silver Honda Civic, driven by Cynthia Ann Waters (52) from Eugene, was eastbound when she lost control and struck a dump truck that was pulling a trailer. The dump truck driver, identified as Jesse Alan Rodolf (44) of Lakeview, was uninjured. Cynthia Waters was pronounced deceased at the scene. Icy road conditions are believed to be contributing factors in this crash.
The Oregon State Police was assisted by the Oakridge Fire Department, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
On Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at approximately 10:40 A.M., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 240 near milepost 4.
Preliminary investigation revealed a Subaru Legacy, operated by James Lee Foster (74) of Yamhill, Oregon, was traveling westbound on Highway 240 when for unknown reasons he lost control and struck a tree. Foster was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Oregon State Police was assisted by Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, the Yamhill Police Department, the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
On Wednesday, February 08, 2023, at approximately 6:00 A.M., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 228 near milepost 19.
Preliminary investigation revealed a silver GMC Canyon operated by Michael L. Stalford (40) of Foster, Oregon, was westbound on Highway 228 when he lost control of his vehicle crossing the eastbound lane and struck a large tree. It is believed that the icy road conditions and speed were contributing factors in this crash. Stalford was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Oregon State Police was assisted by the Sweet Home Fire Department and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
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Sherman County Sheriff’s Office Identifies Human Remains from 1989 with Othram DNA Lab and the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office (Photo) – 02/06/23
On March 26, 1989, the remains of a skeletonized human body were discovered by a rafting group on the Sherman County side of the John Day River. On March 27, 1989, then-Sheriff Gerald Lohrey and additional Sherman County Sheriff’s Office deputies launched a jet boat at Cottonwood Bridge, approximately 13 miles east of Wasco, and recovered the incomplete skeletal remains. In addition to many long bones that had been half-buried in silt on the riverbank, a skull was collected with dental work.
The discovery of the body made local headlines, but nothing was immediately known about the deceased. The remains were transported to the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office (SMEO) for examination.
An examination of the body determined that the decedent was most likely a Caucasian male, between 40 and 50 years of age at the time of death, and around 5’6” to 5’9” in living stature. Evidence of compressed lumbar vertebrae by the forensic anthropologist indicated possible arthritic changes in the bone. It was noted that several teeth in the mandible exhibited restorations. Additional searches of the area were performed on March 28 and April 8, 1989; both searches yielded additional small bones and several teeth.
Leads on the possible identification of this individual were received by the Sheriff’s Office in the following days and weeks; numerous reporting parties indicated they believed the remains to be that of David West, Jr., a man who had disappeared from Sherman County trying to cross the John Day River during a large flooding event in 1964. Mr. West, Jr. had lived on a ranch near Bridge Creek and was known to cross the John Day often. He normally went back and forth across the river to feed cattle. He and a friend had even built a makeshift cable car across the river to assist in quickly navigating the waters back and forth over the John Day. The day the John Day River flooded in 1964, Mr. West was thought to be feeding cattle near Ashwood, Oregon. A friend went to check on him and saw that the cable car had been washed away, the large tree that had held the cable was uprooted, and Mr. West’s dog was injured and agitated on the bank of the river. David West Jr. was never seen or heard from again.
In 1989, Mr. West’s dentist was consulted, but no conclusive identification was ever made.
The remains were retained by the SMEO. In 2010, the SMEO submitted a bone sample to the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification. The sample was processed and yielded a forensic DNA profile for comparison and upload into CODIS. Unfortunately, no genetic associations to missing persons or family reference standards in the CODIS database were established.
In April 2022, the SMEO recognized the effectiveness of investigative genetic genealogy on cold unidentified remains cases and submitted an additional bone sample to Othram, a private DNA lab specializing in advanced forensic DNA testing. Othram uses an in-house whole genome sequencing technique that can provide genetic information and possible familial associations even with a low-yield sample. The analysis revealed the name of two biological relatives of David West Jr. as being genetically associated with the remains.
Both the Gilliam County Sheriff Gary Bettencourt and the Sherman County Sheriff Brad Lohrey (the son of Sheriff Gerald Lohrey) worked to contact family members; Sheriff Bettencourt collected oral swab standards from one relative, and these were submitted and tested by Othram.
The genetic association was confirmed through DNA comparison by Othram in September 2022, and the family was notified of the positive identification.
“We are very excited that such an old case was able to be solved. It is amazing what our forensic teams can accomplish with modern technology. This was a case that was a mystery for generations here at the Sherman County Sheriff’s Office. I’m happy that the family of the deceased finally has closure.” -Sheriff Brad Lohrey, Sherman County Sheriff’s Office
Hope is why we are here.
On Saturday, February 4, 2023, at approximately 7:24 P.M., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 99 near milepost 43.
Preliminary investigation revealed a red Toyota Yaris was traveling southbound near Perkins Rd NE, when it crossed the center line, left the roadway into a ditch, and crashed into a tree. The driver, identified as Jose Trinidad Sanchez Encizo (42) of Lebanon, was declared deceased at the scene.
The Oregon State Police was assisted by Marion County Fire and Medics, the Oregon Department of Transportation, and the Marion County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Correction: The passenger of the Honda CRV, identified as Mariam El Hindawi (92) of Seaside.
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On Friday, February 3, 2023, at approximately 12:04 P.M., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 26 at milepost 41. Preliminary investigation revealed a green Ford Ranger was traveling west on highway 26 when, for unknown reasons, it crossed the centerline and struck a white Honda CRV nearly head-on.
The driver of the Ford Ranger, identified as Mark Leslie Kingman (69) of Brinnon, Washington, was deceased at the scene. The driver of the Honda CRV, identified as Zeinab Muhieddine Kabbani McBoul (52) of Seaside, was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. The passenger of the Honda CRV, identified as Mariam, El Hindawi (92) of Seaside, Oregon, was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. After arriving at the hospital, Mariam succumbed to the injuries sustained in the crash.
The Oregon State Police was assisted by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Oregon Department of Transportation, and the Banks Fire Department.
On Friday, February 3, 2023, at approximately 5:30 P.M., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 238 near milepost 32 just outside of Jacksonville.
Preliminary investigation revealed a green Honda Civic, was traveling east on highway 238 when the operator lost control of the vehicle negotiating a corner. The vehicle slid off the eastbound shoulder and struck a tree before coming to rest. The right front passenger, identified as Mynor Johan Dubon, (37) of Medford, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, identified as Salvador Olivas-Espinoza (36), was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
OSP was assisted by the Oregon Department of Transportation, the Jackson County STAR Team, the Jacksonville Fire Department, and the Applegate Fire Department.
Correction: The Sorrento operator’s name is spelled Petrime and she was from Scio.
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On Monday, January 30, 2023, at approximately 7:26 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a two vehicle crash on Hwy 226, near Fish Hatchery Dr., in Linn County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a silver Hyundai Elantra, operated by Travis O. Longo (20) of Albany, was traveling westbound on Hwy 226, near MP 4. While negotiating a curve at a high rate of speed, the Hyundai crossed into the eastbound traffic lane and struck a white Kia Sorrento, operated by Jessica M. Petrine (29), head-on. The collision caused the Elantra to roll and come to a rest on its roof.
As a result of the collision, Jessica M. Petrime was pronounced deceased at the scene. An 8 month old female passenger, of the Sorrento, was transported to the Lebanon Community Hospital with reportedly non-life threatening injuries.
Travis O. Longo was also pronounced deceased at the scene, as well as both of his passengers: Chloe L. Richmond (18) of Lebanon and Skye R. Huskey (18) of Lebanon.
Excessive speed is considered to be the greatest contributing factor to this crash. The Elantra was observed, just prior to the crash, traveling eastbound on Hwy 226, in reported speeds in excess of 100mph.
The highway was closed for approximately 6 hours while the on-scene investigation was conducted.
OSP was assisted by the Linn County Sheriffs’ Office, Scio Fire, and ODOT.
Correction: This crash occurred on January 30.
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On Monday, January 30, 2023, at approximately 4:33 A.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Hwy 86, near milepost 57, in Baker County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a 2015 Ford Edge, operated by Amber Hampton (30) of Halfway, failed to negotiate a curve and crashed into a rock feature. The operator, who was the solo occupant, was ejected from the vehicle during the crash. The highway was closed and the operator was transported to a hospital via Lifeflight. The operator was later pronounced deceased at the hospital. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
The Highway was closed for approximately five hours during the course of the investigation.
OSP was assisted by the Baker County Sheriffs’ Office, Halfway Rural Ambulance, and ODOT.
On Monday, January 30, 2023, at approximately 4:25 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a two vehicle crash on Hwy 18, near milepost 52, in Yamhill County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a gray 2003 Dodge Durango, operated by Eric Hall (52) of Newberg, was traveling westbound on HWY 18 when, for unknown reasons, the Durango crossed into the oncoming lane, hitting an eastbound Freightliner tractor-trailer, operated by David Ambriz Jacuinde (34) of Woodburn, head-on. Hall suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Jacuinde was uninjured during the collision.
The roadway was closed for approximately 4 hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is still being investigated.
OSP was assisted by the Yamhill County Sheriffs’ Office, McMinnville Fire, and ODOT.
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OSP Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest and Drug Seizure — Klamath County (Photo) – 01/30/23
On January 18, 2023, around 11:26 a.m., an Oregon State Police Senior Trooper stopped an SUV for a lane usage violation on Highway 97, milepost 276, near Klamath Falls.
During the traffic stop, the Sr. Trooper noticed signs of criminal activity, and a search of the vehicle was conducted. During the search of the vehicle, the Sr. Trooper located approximately 10 pounds of suspected methamphetamine, 3 pounds of suspected heroin, and 1.4 pounds of suspected counterfeit pills containing fentanyl- all concealed within the vehicle.
The driver was identified as Sergio Luis Salazar-Mercado (30) of Wapato, Washington. Salazar-Mercado was taken into custody and lodged in the Klamath County Jail.
OSP Troopers were assisted during the investigation by Detectives from the Basin Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team (BINET) and Detectives from the OSP-Criminal Investigations Division-Drug Enforcement Section (Domestic Highway Enforcement Initiative).
The Oregon State Police-Domestic Highway Enforcement Initiative is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).
The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives, including the OSP-DHE Initiative.
Original Article: Source