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Fatal Crash Highway 58- Lane County02/08/23

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.

Fatal Crash Highway 240- Yamhill County02/08/23

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.

Fatal Crash Highway 228- Linn County02/08/23

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.

Fatal Crash Highway 99- Marion County02/05/23

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. 

Fatal Crash Highway 26- Washington County02/04/23

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.

Fatal Crash Highway 238- Jackson County02/04/23

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.

Quadruple Fatal Crash – HWY 226 – Linn County02/01/23

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.

Fatal Crash – HWY 86 – Baker County01/31/23

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.

Fatal Crash – HWY 18 – Yamhill County01/31/23

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.

Officer Involved Shooting- Salem – Marion County01/23/23

Salem Police Department Use of Deadly Force Incident

Salem, Ore. — At approximately 9:00 a.m., on January 23, 2023, Salem Police Department officers were involved in a deadly use of force incident resulting in the death of a suspect.

Officers responded to the Walmart parking lot, located at 5250 Commercial Street SE.  Initial dispatch information indicated that there was an armed robbery and carjacking in progress at that location. Additional information was then relayed that the suspect was now north of Walmart at the Planet Fitness parking lot and that he attempted to steal another vehicle at that location. As officers responded, the suspect then fled Planet Fitness on foot and ran across Commercial Street to Napa Auto Parts.

Responding officers pursued the suspect, who matched the description from the calls, to the parking lot of the Napa Auto Parts Store, located at 5105 Commercial Street SE.  A confrontation ensued and the suspect fired at least once at officers.  At least one patrol vehicle was hit in the windshield. Officers also fired and the suspect was struck and died at the scene.

A black handgun was later located under the suspect and a loaded magazine was located inside his pocket. 

No bystanders, citizens, or officers were injured in the incident. The Salem Police Officers involved in the incident were:

  • Senior Officer Justin Carney, 22 years of service; 
  • Corporal Kristy Fitzpatrick, 14 years of service;
  • Officer Reece Mathis, 1 year of service;
  • Corporal Adam Waite, 15 years of service;
  • Senior Robert Acosta, 17 years of service.

The suspect has been identified as Michael James Compton, 27 years old.  Next of kin have been notified. A Family Services Coordinator from the Marion County District Attorney’s Office has been made available to the decedent’s family to answer their questions and communicate appropriate information from the investigation.  

Compton was found to have multiple warrants for his arrest out of Clackamas and Lane counties. 

Pursuant to Marion County SB 111 protocols, the Marion County District Attorney’s Office appointed the Oregon State Police to investigate this incident. Investigators from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Keizer Police Department assisted with the investigation.   The involved Salem Police Officers have been placed on paid administrative leave as is standard in these situations. Like every incident of officer use of deadly force in Marion County, the circumstances of this investigation will ultimately be presented to a Marion County Grand Jury to determine whether the officers’ use of deadly force was lawful. 

This incident remains an active investigation. The scene is still being processed and additional investigation is occurring.  Therefore, no additional information will be released to preserve a grand jury’s objective analysis of the incident. 

Fatal Crash – HWY 47- Washington County01/23/23

On Saturday, January 21, 2023, at approximately 2:10 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Hwy 47, near milepost 87, in Washington County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a Dodge Avenger, operated by Glennard Devon Purvee (28) of Banks, was involved in a minor rear-end style collision just north of Banks.  The vehicle fled the scene and traveled southbound on Hwy 47 through the city of Banks.  The vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed when it drove off the shoulder of the roadway and collided with a tree on westbound side of the roadway, near milepost 87.  The operator of the vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash.

The roadway was impacted for approximately 3 hours while the on-scene investigation was being conducted.

OSP was assisted by the Washington County Sheriffs’ Office, Banks Fire, Forest Grove Fire, and ODOT.

Fatal Crash- HWY 18 Bypass – Yamhill County01/21/23

On Thursday, January 19, 2023, at approximately 4:30 P.M., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a two vehicle crash on the Hwy 18 Bypass near milepost 57, west of Dundee Landing Rd, in Yamhill County. 

The preliminary investigation revealed a black 2020 Toyota Rav4, operated by John William McKevitt (71) of Lincoln City, was traveling westbound on the Hwy 18 Bypass, when for unknown reasons the vehicle crossed into the eastbound lane and collided head-on with a red Subaru Outback, operated by Kimberly Yost Champawat (60) of Gresham. McKevitt suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene. Champawat suffered critical injuries and was transported to the hospital by air ambulance. 

The Hwy 18 Newburg-Dundee Bypass, Hwy 219 to Hwy 99W, was closed for approximately four hours for the on-scene investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Newberg Dundee PD, Yamhill Co. S.O., TVF&R, and ODOT. 

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OSP traffic stop leads to arrest and drug seizure- Deschutes County (Photo)01/20/23

On January 19, 2023, at approximately 5:00 P.M., an Oregon State Police Senior Trooper stopped an SUV for a lane use violation on northbound US 97 near milepost 132, just north of Bend.

During the traffic stop, the Trooper noticed signs of criminal activity, and a consent search of the vehicle was conducted.  During a search of the vehicle, the Trooper located approximately 10 pounds of suspected methamphetamine and approximately five pounds of suspected powder fentanyl concealed within the vehicle.  The K-9 assisted in the investigation by alerting the Trooper to the odor of controlled substances in the location where the drugs were hidden.

The driver was identified as Dania Marbella Banegas-Ramos (28) of Oakland, California.  Banegas-Ramos was taken into custody and lodged in the Deschutes County Jail for various drug offenses.

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.

Fatal Crash – HWY 224- Clackamas County01/12/23

On Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at approximately 5:56 A.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a three vehicle crash on Hwy 224, near milepost 17, in Clackamas County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a Volkswagen Golf, operated by Miguel B. Adams (22) of Vancouver (WA), was eastbound on Hwy 224 when it entered the westbound lane of travel and struck a Toyota Tacoma, operated by Matthew D. Stenhouse (26), head-on.  The Volkswagen spun as a result of the collision and was struck in the passenger side door by a Kia K5, operated by Ryan Michael Payne (22) of Portland, which was also eastbound on Hwy 224.

The operator of the Volkswagen, Miguel B. Adams, was not wearing a seatbelt and was declared deceased at the scene. 

The operator of the Toyota was life flighted to a local hospital for medical treatment.  The operator of the Kia declined medical evaluation at the scene.

The cause of the crash is undetermined at this time.  The crash scene investigation impacted the roadway for approximately 4 hours.

OSP was assisted by the Clackamas County Sheriffs’ Office, Clackamas Fire, and ODOT.

Fatal Crash – HWY 214 – Marion County01/12/23

On Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at approximately 9:40 A.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a three vehicle crash on Hwy 214, at the intersection with Downs Rd NE, in Marion County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a Honda Civic, operated by Diceon M Macias (19) of Salem, was eastbound on Downs Rd NE and attempted to cross Hwy 214.  The Honda Civic entered the roadway and struck the side of a Ford Taurus, operated by Mitchell Daniel Kuenzi (23) of Silverton, which was traveling southbound on Hwy 214.  The collision caused the Taurus to enter the northbound lane of Hwy 214, where it was struck in the driver’s side door by a Jeep Gladiator, operated by James A Nosen (68) of Woodburn.  

Mitchell Daniel Kuenzi, the operator of the Taurus, was declared deceased at the scene.  The other parties involved received medical evaluation and/or treatment due to the crash.

The roadway was closed for approximately 4 hours while to crash scene investigation was conducted.

OSP was assisted by Mt. Angel Fire, Silverton Fire, Silverton PD, Marion County SO, and ODOT.

Fatal Crash – HWY 42 – Douglas County01/11/23

On Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at approximately 8:27 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a vehicle versus bicycle crash on Highway 42, at the intersection of Grant Smith Road, near milepost 76.5, in Douglas County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a Dodge Ram 3500 truck, operated by Robert Howerton (76) of Winston, was traveling west on Highway 42 in the fast lane when it struck a bicyclist, Michael Allen Davis (34) of Roseburg, as the bicycle was traveling south across the Highway 42/Grant Smith Road intersection. The bicyclist was transported by ambulance to Mercy Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased by medical personnel. The driver of the Dodge 3500 immediately stopped and fully cooperated with the investigation. 

OSP was assisted by the Winston Police Department, the Douglas County Sheriffs’ Office, Douglas County Fire, ODOT, and Douglas County Medical Examiner’s office.

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