Highway 97 Crash Takes Three Lives South Of Madras – Jefferson County

 

Photo Courtesy of Oregon State Police

On May 17, 2016 at about 2:09PM, OSP Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a multiple vehicle crash on Highway 97 near milepost 100 (intersection of Bear Lane, south of Madras).

Preliminary investigation revealed a 2003 Pontiac van was traveling northbound on Highway 97 when it stopped in the lane of travel in preparation to make a left turn onto Bear Lane (waiting for southbound traffic to pass).

While waiting to make a left turn, an unknown vehicle that had also been traveling northbound on Highway 97 almost rear-ended the Pontiac but passed it on the right shoulder. Another northbound vehicle, a 2015 Ford van, could not avoid the Pontiac and rear-ended it at highway speeds. This impact forced the Pontiac into the southbound lane of travel where it collided with a southbound 2008 Honda Accord.

The driver of the Pontiac, Anita J BEMROSE, age 49, of Madras was taken by air ambulance to Saint Charles Bend where she died from her injuries. A 10 year old male passenger was also taken to Saint Charles Bend for life threatening injuries. Two other passengers, a 12 year old male and 14 year old male, were pronounced deceased on scene. All passengers were sons to the deceased driver.

The driver of the Honda, Shirley AYRES, age 69, of Madras was transported to Saint Charles Madras for non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the Ford, Bryan MCDONALD, age 41, of Redmond, was taken to Saint Charles Redmond for non-life threatening injuries.

OSP is seeking the public’s assistance if anyone has knowledge identifying the operator of the unknown vehicle who nearly collided with the stopped Pontiac. Anyone will information is asked to call the Oregon State Police at 503-375-3555.

This is a preliminary release. More information will be released when it becomes available.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those involved in this accident. This was a terrible accident, and we hope everyone involved in the crash knows that there are thinking of their families and the life lost.

One of the most difficult parts of an accident like this is the fact that there will be immediate bills that will need to be taken care of in a timely manner. The period after an accident like this can be a very confusing and challenging time especially when friends and family may be involved. We feel fortunate to be able to provide victims of these types of accidents with resources that help navigate these challenging and trying times. We hope these resources help answer some of the difficult questions you have after an accident and how mounting medical bills or a wrongful death can be addressed.

This is a sensitive time for all those involved but it is important to remember that the lives of those left behind must be protected to the fullest extent of the law.

Oregon wrongful death claims are allowed under ORS 30.020, but the law is much more complicated than a normal accident case. First of all, the statute of limitations (SOL)(time limit on filing a claim) is different. For most car accidents, the SOL is two years, but for wrongful death, the SOL is “three years after the injury causing the death . . . is discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. . . .”

Additionally, there are limits on who can bring a wrongful death claim. The most common claimants are:

• Spouses
• Children (including stepchildren)
• Parents (including stepparents)

Less common claimants include:

• Grandchildren
• Siblings
• Grandparents

In a wrongful death case, you can ask for compensation for several types of damages such as:

• Charges for medical services;
• Charges for burial and memorial services;
• Compensation that the decedent would have been entitled to for disability, pain and suffering, and loss of income during the period between injury and death;
• Compensation for “pecuniary loss” to the decedent’s estate;
• Compensation for the loss of the decedent’s “society, companionship and services” to the decedent’s spouse, children, stepchildren, stepparents, and parents;

Punitive damages are allowed as well, but are rare in Oregon since the State takes 70% of punitive damages awarded. If you have lost a loved one, call a Portland wrongful death attorney for help in securing the compensation you deserve.

Crash On Highway 20 Sends Three To Hospital West Of Sisters- Jefferson County

Photo Courtesy of Oregon State Police

On May 16, 2016 at about 6:54AM, OSP Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a two vehicle head-on crash on Highway 20 near milepost 83 (east of Santiam Summit).

Preliminary investigation revealed a 2005 Chevrolet Colorado was traveling eastbound on Highway 20 when it lost control while negotiating a corner on a wet roadway. The Chevrolet spun out and into the path of a westbound 2016 Kia sport utility. The Chevrolet struck the Kia nearly head-on and then rolled over after impact.

The driver of the Chevrolet, Fredi TORRES REYES, age 20, of Woodburn, was transported by ground ambulance to Saint Charles Bend for non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the Kia, Terje WALTHINSEN, age 71, and his passenger, Timothy J WALTHINSEN, age 38, (both of Redmond) were taken by ground ambulance to Sisters where they were transferred to air ambulance. Both currently are at Saint Charles Bend with life threatening injuries.

Speeding by TORRES REYES is being considered a contributing factor in the crash. It was also learned TORRES REYES has a suspended Oregon Driver’s License.

The westbound lanes of Highway 20 were closed for about five hours while the investigation was conducted. OSP was assisted by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Black Butte Police Department, Black Butte Fire Department, Sisters – Camp Sherman Fire Department and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

More information will be released when it becomes available as this is an ongoing investigation.

This is a very trying time for the person who is severely injured and his family too. We wish Terje Walthinsen and Timothy J Walthinsen a full recovery.

If you are involved in an accident and the other driver doesn’t have sufficient coverage, your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP through your own auto insurance) still applies in this type of case, so use your own auto insurance to pay medical bills until you settle your claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance.

If you don’t have an auto insurance policy, then your health insurance will cover your medical bills. If you don’t have auto or health insurance, the at-fault driver’s PIP should cover your medical bills.

If you are interested in discussing whether you might have a pedestrian accident, call a Portland pedestrian accident attorney for help and a free consultation

1 dead, 3 hurt in Hwy 99W crash

McMINNVILLE, Ore. — A two-vehicle head-on crash in Yamhill County Wednesday evening killed one person and sent three others to area hospitals.

Emergency personnel responded to the report of a crash on Highway 99W near milepost 34, just east of McMinnville, at 9 p.m.

Initial reports indicate two vehicles were involved with one confirmed fatality. Three people were taken to area hospitals for treatment. Highway 99W was closed during the investigation.

Published from.

OSP Conducting Fatal Crash Investigation East Of McMinnville – Yamhill County

On May 4, 2016 at about 9PM, OSP Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a two vehicle head-on crash on Highway 99W near milepost 34 (just east of McMinnville).

Initial reports indicate two vehicles were involved with one confirmed fatality. Three people were taken to area hospitals for treatment. Highway 99W is closed to allow the investigation to be conducted. Visit tripcheck.com for road status updates.

This is a preliminary release. More information will be released as it becomes available.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those involved in this accident. This was a terrible accident, and we hope everyone involved in the crash knows that there are thinking of their families and the life lost.

One of the most difficult parts of an accident like this is the fact that there will be immediate bills that will need to be taken care of in a timely manner. The period after an accident like this can be a very confusing and challenging time especially when friends and family may be involved. We feel fortunate to be able to provide victims of these types of accidents with resources that help navigate these challenging and trying times. We hope these resources help answer some of the difficult questions you have after an accident and how mounting medical bills or a wrongful death can be addressed.

This is a sensitive time for all those involved but it is important to remember that the lives of those left behind must be protected to the fullest extent of the law.

Oregon wrongful death claims are allowed under ORS 30.020, but the law is much more complicated than a normal accident case. First of all, the statute of limitations (SOL)(time limit on filing a claim) is different. For most car accidents, the SOL is two years, but for wrongful death, the SOL is “three years after the injury causing the death . . . is discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. . . .”

Additionally, there are limits on who can bring a wrongful death claim. The most common claimants are:

• Spouses
• Children (including stepchildren)
• Parents (including stepparents)

Less common claimants include:

• Grandchildren
• Siblings
• Grandparents

In a wrongful death case, you can ask for compensation for several types of damages such as:

• Charges for medical services;
• Charges for burial and memorial services;
• Compensation that the decedent would have been entitled to for disability, pain and suffering, and loss of income during the period between injury and death;
• Compensation for “pecuniary loss” to the decedent’s estate;
• Compensation for the loss of the decedent’s “society, companionship and services” to the decedent’s spouse, children, stepchildren, stepparents, and parents;

Punitive damages are allowed as well, but are rare in Oregon since the State takes 70% of punitive damages awarded. If you have lost a loved one, call a Portland wrongful death attorney for help in securing the compensation you deserve.

UPDATE: Fatal Crash on Foster Road Kills One Person Early Sunday Morning

The driver killed early Sunday morning has been identified as 47-year-old John Wesley Ritter.

The other driver involved in the crash, 18-year-old Sean Kyler Olsen, remains in a Portland hospital being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Traffic investigators learned that Olsen was driving a 2015 Kia Sorrento eastbound on Foster Road and crossed the centerline, crashing head-on into Ritter, who was driving a 2000 GMC Jimmy.

The investigation is continuing and once complete it will be given to the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office for review.

Anyone with information about the crash should contact Officer Chris Johnson at 503-823-2213, chris.johnson@portlandoregon.gov.

This is the 18th fatal traffic crash of 2016.

The Portland Police Bureau is committed to working with our partners in government and the community to create safer streets and work towards reducing, and eventually eliminating, traffic fatalities as part of Vision Zero.

To learn more about the City of Portland’s Vision Zero effort, please visit: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/40390

###PPB###

###ORIGINAL MESSAGE BELOW###

On Sunday April 24, 2016, at 3:51 a.m., East Precinct officers responded to the report of a traffic crash on Southeast Foster Road in the area of 134th Avenue.

Officers and medical personnel arrived and located both drivers, one of whom was deceased. The other was transported by ambulance to a Portland hospital and is expected to survive.

The Traffic Divsion’s Major Crash Team responded to the scene and is investigating the crash.

Foster Road was closed for several hours as a result of this crash.

Updates will be provided when they become available.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those involved in this accident. This was a terrible accident, and we hope everyone involved in the crash knows that there are thinking of their families for those lives lost and a lot of people wishing the survivors a speedy recovery.

The period after an accident like this can be a very confusing and challenging time especially when friends and family may be involved. We feel fortunate to be able to provide victims of these types of accidents with resources that help navigate these challenging and trying times. We hope these resources help answer some of the difficult questions you have after an accident and how mounting medical bills or a wrongful death can be addressed.

This is a sensitive time for all those involved but it is important to remember that the lives of those left behind must be protected to the fullest extent of the law.

Oregon wrongful death claims are allowed under ORS 30.020, but the law is much more complicated than a normal accident case. First of all, the statute of limitations (SOL)(time limit on filing a claim) is different. For most car accidents, the SOL is two years, but for wrongful death, the SOL is “three years after the injury causing the death . . . is discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. . . .”

Additionally, there are limits on who can bring a wrongful death claim. The most common claimants are:

• Spouses
• Children (including stepchildren)
• Parents (including stepparents)

Less common claimants include:

• Grandchildren
• Siblings
• Grandparents

In a wrongful death case, you can ask for compensation for several types of damages such as:

• Charges for medical services;
• Charges for burial and memorial services;
• Compensation that the decedent would have been entitled to for disability, pain and suffering, and loss of income during the period between injury and death;
• Compensation for “pecuniary loss” to the decedent’s estate;
• Compensation for the loss of the decedent’s “society, companionship and services” to the decedent’s spouse, children, stepchildren, stepparents, and parents;

Punitive damages are allowed as well, but are rare in Oregon since the State takes 70% of punitive damages awarded. If you have lost a loved one, call a Portland wrongful death attorney for help in securing the compensation you deserve.

Man Killed In Motorcycle Crash On Interstate 84 – Umatilla County

Photo Courtesy OSP

The deceased operator of the motorcycle was identified as Richard R HUTCHINS, age 80, of Chicago, Illinois. More information will be released as it becomes available.
***End Update***

Previous Release:
On April 19, 2016, at about 3:30PM, OSP Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a crash involving a motorcycle into a guardrail on Interstate 84 near milepost 219 (east of Pendleton).

Preliminary investigation indicates the adult male rider was traveling eastbound on Interstate 84 when for unknown reasons, drifted out of the lane of travel and struck a guardrail.
The driver of the motorcycle was transported to Saint Mary’s Hospital in Walla Walla, WA by air ambulance. Medical staff at the hospital later pronounced him deceased as a result of injuries he sustained in the crash.

The Oregon State Police are working with the Walla Walla County Coroner in an effort to positively identify the driver. OSP was assisted at the scene by Umatilla Tribal Fire and Ambulance and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Richard R HUTCHINS.