On Thursday, December 1st, 2022, at approximately 5:26 AM, the Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle collision on the northbound lanes of Interstate 5, near milepost 270.
The preliminary investigation indicated a white 2010 Chrysler Town & Country Mini-Van, operated by Dale S Heggem (76), of Salem, veered off of the highway at a high rate of speed, driving onto the shoulder of the roadway and then striking a tree, head-on, on the driver side of the mini-van. Heggem was pronounced deceased at the scene from injuries sustained in the crash.
Interstate 5 was open during the investigation with the slow lane being shut down for about 4 hours.
OSP was assisted by the Woodburn Fire Department, the Marion County Medical Examiner, the Cornwell Funeral Home, and ODOT.
BM114 becomes law on December 8, 2022. Since November 8, 2022, the FICS unit has experienced unprecedented volumes of firearms transactions never seen before in the program’s 26-year history. OSP continues to work diligently to process and resolve as many of the pended/delayed FICS transactions as possible.
FICS transactions that are not completed with an approval number by midnight on December 7, 2022, will require the purchaser to initiate their permit application to obtain a Permit-to-Purchase before their FICS transaction can resume. This means your FICS transaction will not be canceled on December 8th. Once the purchaser has an approved permit, the FICS transaction will resume.
It is important to note that many times pended/delayed FICS transactions are due to missing, incomplete, or incorrect information. When there is missing or incomplete information on a person’s Computerized Criminal History (CCH), OSP must contact the agency that is the owner of that information to obtain official records so that OSP can determine whether the person is approved for the firearm purchase. The agencies contacted most for missing or incomplete information are the Courts or District Attorneys’ offices throughout the United States. There are no required timelines for the agencies to respond to our requests for missing or incomplete information. By statute, the information within the FICS transaction database can only be held for five years.
Oregon State Police has worked with Permit Agents regarding the application form for the Permit-to-Purchase. The draft application is in the final review with permitting agencies and will be posted to the Oregon State Police’s website and available to those wishing to apply for a Permit-to-Purchase on December 8, 2022.
With BM114 becoming law on December 8, 2022, this gives Oregon State Police a very short window to develop a program and have technology available for use on day 1 of the new law. Because of this, the Permit-to-Purchase program at Oregon State Police will be a manual paper process until new technical systems can be designed and implemented.
**UPDATE-Driver arrested in Fatal Crash**
The on-going investigation into the November 20, 2022 crash that caused the death of a 5-year-old female on Hwy 58 has resulted in the arrest of the driver, Amber Gonzalez-Riddle.
On Thursday, December 1, 2022, Oregon State Police Troopers arrested Amber Gonzalez Riddle and lodged her in the Lane County Jail on charges of Manslaughter II, Reckless Endangering-2 counts, Assault III-2 counts and DUII.
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On Sunday, November 20, 2022 at approximately 6:09 PM, Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy 58, 25 miles east of Oakridge at milepost 61.
Preliminary investigation revealed a westbound Honda Accord, operated by Amber Shaleene Gonzalez Riddle (26) of Portland, crossed into the oncoming eastbound lane and collided with a Toyota Rav 4, operated by Debra Diane Baker (66) of Sunriver. The Toyota caught fire and became fully engulfed after the occupants were removed.
Gonzalez Riddle and passengers, Geavony Amor Ferreira (23) of Portland and a 3-year-old female were transported to an area hospital with injuries. An additional passenger, a 5-year-old female sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. Baker and her passenger, John Baker (67) of Sunriver, were transported to an area hospital with injuries.
Hwy 58 was affected for approximately 6 hours while the OSP Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated the scene. This is an active investigation and updates will be provided when available.
OSP was assisted by Oakridge Fire Department, Central Cascade Fire Department, Oakridge Police Department and ODOT.
On November 30, 2022, at approximately 10:20 P.M., Oregon State Police Troopers were in a short pursuit of an SUV that was driving recklessly on Interstate 5 southbound at milepost 253 around Jefferson, Oregon. The SUV made an erratic U-turn and began to travel northbound in the southbound lane before intentionally ramming an OSP Patrol car.
The driver identified as Garrett W. Hall (50) from Portland was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. He was subsequently arrested and lodged in jail for Reckless Driving, Felony Elude, and the Assault of a Public Safety Officer.
The OSP Trooper was also transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
The interstate was closed for over an hour for the investigation and to clear the scene. OSP was assisted at the scene by Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Salem Police Department, and Linn County Sheriff’s Office.
We are grateful that the Oregon State Police Troopers were in the right place at the right time to intervene for the public’s safety.
The Oregon State Police is asking for #publicassistance with a death investigation that occurred on November 30, 2021. OSP is hoping with the 1st anniversary of this incident that someone will come forward with new information.
On November 30, 2021, at approximately 1:00 P.M., Larry Mell was traveling westbound in his red 2003 Dodge Ram truck on Hwy 38 near Putnam Valley Rd, just west of Drain, Oregon, when he was shot. Mr. Mell later died as a result of his injuries. The Oregon State Police’s preliminary investigation suggests this incident appears to be accidental.
Mr. Mell was 72 at the time of his death. He had 8 children, several grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. Mr. Mell’s family described him as a Navy veteran who served in the Vietnam War. Mr. Mell loved fishing and crabbing and is greatly missed. Mr. Mell’s family said he was a strong survivor who had overcome heart surgery, a brain injury, and cancer.
The Oregon State Police along with Mr. Mell's family is requesting if anyone was shooting or who knows of someone who was shooting in the area of Hwy 38 and Putnam Valley Rd on November 30, 2021, call us.
Help provide some closure to this family who is desperately seeking answers to what happened. If you think you might have some information on this incident, we urge you to call the Oregon State Police at 800-442-2068 or *OSP from your mobile phone. Reference case # SP21-335049.
On Tuesday, November 29th, at approximately 7:11 PM, the Oregon State Police responded to a reported vehicle versus pedestrian collision on Interstate 5, near mile post 27, in Jackson County.
The preliminary investigation indicated Gabriel Escobar (39), of Medford, had recently fled on foot from a nearby Fred Meyer after allegedly shoplifting. Escobar attempted to run across the freeway when he was struck and killed by a commercial motor vehicle traveling northbound in the slow lane.
The slow lane was closed for approximately 3 hours while the crash investigation was conducted.
OSP was assisted by the Jackson County STAR Team, Medford PD, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, and ODOT.
On Tuesday, November 29th, at approximately 3:15 PM, the Oregon State Police responded to a two vehicle motor vehicle collision on HWY 26, near mile post 54, in Washington County.
The initial investigation indicated a 2000 Hyundai Sonata, operated by Dalton Stevens (31), of Timber, was driving eastbound (wrong way) on the westbound side of Hwy 26 near milepost 54. The vehicle missed several other vehicles that were headed eastbound before hitting a Toyota Rav4, operated by Yvette Drolette (53), of Seaside, head on. Dalton Stevens was pronounced deceased on scene and Yvette Drolette was transported by Life Flight to a local hospital. The
OSP was assisted by the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the Tualatin Valley Fire Rescue, the Banks Fire Department, the Washington County District Attorney's Office, and the Washington County Medical Examiner.
On Thursday, November 24, 2022, at approximately 12:04 A.M. an Oregon State Police Trooper from the Ontario Area Command stopped an SUV for dangerous and erratic driving behavior on U.S. Highway 95 near milepost 1. While the Trooper was in contact with the driver, the driver showed signs of impairment and the Trooper observed signs of other criminal activity. The driver consented to field sobriety tests and further indicators of impairment were observed. The driver was subsequently taken into custody without incident for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. A vehicle search was conducted incident to the DUII arrest. The vehicle search revealed a loaded firearm and approximately 1 kilogram of cocaine. The passenger of the vehicle was then taken into custody without incident.
The vehicle was then seized, and a search warrant application was made. After the search warrant was granted by a Malheur County Circuit Court Judge, a second more in-depth search of the vehicle revealed other controlled substances, two additional firearms t, a firearms silencer, and $151,910. The other notable controlled substances seized included approximately 23.8 grams of suspected methamphetamine and 18 grams of suspected ketamine.
The driver was identified as Scott Anderson (49) from Costa Mesa, California and the passenger was identified as Jacob Flora (46) from Huntington Beach, California. Both subjects were lodged in the Malheur County Jail for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Money Laundering, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, and Cocaine – Commercial Drug offenses.
OSP Troopers were assisted during the investigation by Detectives from the OSP-Criminal Investigations Division-Drug Enforcement Section (Domestic Highway Enforcement Initiative) and Special Agents with the Homeland Security Investigations – Medford 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.
Today, November 29, 2022, the Oregon Department of Justice announced the Clackamas County Grand Jury ruling on the use of deadly force by an Oregon State Trooper and Clackamas County Detective on Saturday, June 18, 2022. The panel of jurors deemed that their use of force was justified.
The use of deadly force profoundly affects everyone involved, their families, and the entire community. We would like to thank everyone for their patience during this process and the Grand Jury members for their comprehensive review of the facts.
We have asked the Oregon Department of Justice to make a public release of the facts presented to the grand jury because we believe it is important for our community to better understand the circumstances when deadly force is used.
Additionally, we are grateful for the investigative work of the Clackamas County Major Crimes Team and the Oregon Department of Justice who conducted an independent investigation.
Link to Oregon Department of Justice press release:
The Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Troopers from the Pendleton Area Command received information on several individuals who were unlawfully taking big game animals. In the summer of 2020 Troopers began gathering information and evidence over the following year, which led to the service of a search warrant at a Pendleton residence in December of 2021. Evidence seized from the search warrant included 6 sets of deer antlers, and 3 sets of elk antlers, including a 7x7 trophy bull elk, a rifle, a bow, and meat. The investigation and search warrant led to the indictment of Walker Erickson, (28) of Pendleton, Oregon, and Hunter Wagner, (23) of Pilot Rock, Oregon.
In October of 2022, Walker Erickson was indicted on the following:
-3 Counts of Unlawful Take of a Cow Elk
-4 Counts of Unlawful Take of a Whitetail Buck
-2 Counts of Unlawful Take of a Mule Deer Buck
-4 Counts of Unlawful Take of Bull Elk
-3 Counts of Waste of Game
-1 Count of Unlawful Possession of Big Game
-1 Count of Hunting While Criminally Trespassing
-1 Count of Hunting on Another’s Cultivated or Enclosed Land
-1 Count of Hunting from a Motor Vehicle
-2 Counts of Tampering with Physical Evidence
In October of 2022, Hunter Wagner was indicted on the following:
-7 Counts of Counseling, Aiding, or Assisting in Another’s Unlawful Take of a Big Game Animal
The Oregon State Police would like to thank the public for the tips regarding this large and extensive investigation. This case is being prosecuted by the Anti-Poaching Prosecutor with the Department of Justice in coordination with the Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office.
***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
The Stop Poaching Campaign educates the public on how to recognize and report poaching. This campaign is a collaboration among state agencies, sportsmen, and other conservationists, landowners, and recreationists to engage the public in combatting Oregon's poaching problem. Our goal is to: Incentivize reporting on wildlife crimes through the TIP Line; Strengthen enforcement by increasing the number of OSP Fish and Wildlife Troopers, and Support prosecution in becoming an effective deterrent. The campaign helps to protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitat for the enjoyment of present and future generations.
Campaign Sponsors include Oregon State Police, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon State Marine Board, Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Wildlife Coalition, and Oregon Outfitters & Guides Association.
Report a Wildlife or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity
Dial 1-800-452-7888 or *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone or via email at TIP@osp.oregon.gov
On Monday, November 21, 2022 at approximately 9:18 AM, Oregon State Police Troopers responded to a suspicious object found by Oregon Department of Corrections cleanup crew on northbound Interstate 5 near milepost 260.
OSP Troopers with the Salem Area Command took possession of a small backpack that contained a human skull.
The skull was transported to the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office who will continue to investigate the identity of the skull. The skull had no identifiable features, but was most likely that of a female in her late 30’s to 40’s.
No further information is available at this time.
On Thursday, November 17, 2022 at approximately 4:00 PM, Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy 99W, 7 miles south of Monmouth.
Preliminary investigation revealed a northbound Infinity G37, operated by a 17-year old male of Lacy, Washington, crossed into the southbound lane colliding with a Subaru Legacy, operated by Brian Pillette (69) of Adair Village.
Brian Pillette and a passenger, a 2-year old female, were transported to an area hospital with injuries. An additional passenger, Lori Pillette (64) of Adair Village, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. The 17-year old male and his passenger, Hermino Cabrera (42) of Lacy, Washington received minor injuries and were also transported to an area hospital.
OSP was assisted by Polk County Fire Department and Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
On November 16, 2022, at approximately 10:30 p.m., an Oregon State Police Senior Trooper stopped a passenger car for failure to drive within its lane of travel on Interstate 5 northbound near milepost 227 south of Albany.
During the traffic stop, the Trooper noticed signs of criminal activity and requested consent to search, which was granted by the occupants of the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, the Trooper located five large plastic bags, approximately 12 lbs., of suspected fentanyl pills concealed in the trunk of the vehicle.
The driver was identified as Jose Manuel Gonzalez Obeso (22) and the passenger was identified as Carla Joanna Castillo Arce (18) both from Scottsdale, Arizona. Both subjects were released after being interviewed about their involvement and charges will be referred to the United States Attorney’s Office.
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 – Salem Resident Office, and the United States Attorney’s Office – District of Oregon – Portland 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.
Update-Correction to direction of involved CMV
On Tuesday, November 16, 2022 at approximately 5:11 PM, Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a tw0-vehicle crash on Hwy 97 near milepost 76.
Preliminary investigation revealed a northbound red Chevrolet Silverado pickup, operated by Theodore Church (75) of Prineville, crossed into the on-coming southbound lane and collided with a white Freightliner CMV, operated by Wilhelm Moorecroft (65) of Cambridge, Ontario.
Church sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. Moorecraft was uninjured.
Hwy 97 was affected for approximately 3 hours while the OSP Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated the scene.
OSP was assisted by Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and ODOT.
On Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at approximately 7:40 PM, Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy 26 near milepost 114.
Preliminary investigation revealed a gray Toyota Tacoma, operated by Audry Cooper McHugh (29) of Bend, was passing several vehicles in the fog when it collided head-on with a westbound gold Chevrolet Malibu, operated by Saralee Spino-McCormaack (29) of Warm Springs.
Spino-McCormack and the right rear passenger, a 13-year old male, sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased. A 14-year old female passenger was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. McHugh was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries.
Hwy 26 was closed for approximately 2 hours while the OSP Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated the scene.
OSP was assisted by Jefferson County Fire and EMS, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, ODOT.
The Oregon State Police (OSP) is aware that the public has many questions regarding Ballot Measure 114. The Oregon Secretary of State’s office notified OSP that Ballot Measure 114 will go into effect at 12:00 a.m. on December 8, 2022. The Oregon State Police is working very closely with the Department of Justice, the Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association and the Oregon Association Chiefs of Police to assess the required processes that need to be completed to implement this law.
For the month of November 2022, approximately 63% of the requests received into the OSP Firearms Instant Check System (FICS) unit have been approved. The remaining transactions must be evaluated by an OSP employee to determine what caused the person to be kicked out of the automated process. If applicable a manual correction can be made, and the application can be approved.
Here are some important notes to consider when submitting for a Firearms purchase or transfer that could exclude you from the automated process:
- If you have ever been arrested or convicted of a crime in Oregon or any other state.
- If you have incomplete or incorrect information listed on federal ATF Form 4473
- Potential Fix- Double-check the information for accuracy.
- If your registered DMV address does not match the address listed on federal ATF Form 4473
- Potential Fix- Update your personal address with DMV.
This unit has been working through these extreme firearms request volumes and will continue to process them as quickly as possible.
The FICS unit’s hours of operation is set in Oregon Revised Statute (ORS), and largely determined by retail hours. FICS is open and processing background checks from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week 363 days a year with only Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day off.
For more information about the Oregon State Police’s Firearms Instant Check System (FICS) including how to complete a Firearm Pre-Purchase Self-Assessment Questionnaire click here:
https://www.oregon.gov/osp/programs/cjis/Pages/Firearms-Instant-Check-System.aspx
On Monday, November 14, 2022 at approximately 6:36 PM, Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy 20 near milepost 16.
Preliminary investigation revealed a westbound silver Toyota Yaris, operated by Kevin Gonzales (30) of Redmond, crossed over into oncoming traffic and collided with a red Freightliner, operated by Kyle Kemper (40) of Lebanon. The Freightliner truck is owned by the Lebanon Fire Department and is commonly known as a “pumper truck”. Prior to the collision the Toyota was reported to be driving erratically and impairment is being investigated as a contributing factor.
Gonzales sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. Kemper received minor injuries.
Hwy 20 was affected for approximately 4 hours while the OSP Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated the scene.
OSP was assisted by Lebanon Fire Department, Lebanon Police Department, Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Bend Police Department, Redmond Police Department and ODOT.
On November 14, at approximately 2:43AM, the Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle roll-over crash on US-101, near MP 344.
The preliminary investigation indicated a northbound Chevrolet Silverado, operated by Allen Shaffar (41) of Brookings, left the roadway for an unknown reason resulting in a roll-over crash. The operator was deceased upon the arrival of first responders.
OSP was assisted by the Gold Beach Fire Department, the Pistol River Fire Department, and the Curry County Sheriff's Office.
On November 13, at approximately 1:30AM, the Oregon State Police responded to a vehicle vs pedestrian crash on I5 near MP 259.
The preliminary investigation indicated the deceased operator, Michael Ernest Summers (38) of Salem, was traveling northbound on I5 when he lost control and struck the jersey barrier for unknown reasons. Summer's dog was freed and running in the lanes of travel. Summers was chasing his dog on the roadway when he was struck by a Toyota Camry, operated by Amy Biggins (83) of Salem, traveling north on Interstate 5. Summers was pronounced deceased at the scene. The operator of the Camry remained on scene. This is an ongoing investigation.
Traffic was impacted for several hours during the course of the investigation.
On November 12, at approximately 7:23PM, the Oregon State Police responded to a vehicle vs pedestrian crash on Hwy 26, near NE Poplar St, in Madras.
The preliminary investigation indicated a maroon Chevrolet Impala, operated by Stuart Smith (22) of Warm Springs, was northbound on Highway 26 when it struck a pedestrian, Albert Lloyd French III (70) of Madras, in the northbound "B" lane near the intersection with NE Poplar St. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased on scene. The occupants of the Impala were not injured. The cause of the crash is being investigated.
Hwy 26 was closed for approximately 4 hours due to the investigation.
OSP was assisted by the Madras Police Department and ODOT.
UPDATE: Crash location: Hwy 62 near MP31
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On November 5th, at approximately 6:29PM, a green Ford F250, operated by Kenn Alan Biando (37) of Shady Cove, was traveling west on Hwy 62 when it lost control, resulting in a roll-over crash. The driver of the vehicle was in critical condition and life-flighted to Rogue Regional Medical Center. The driver later died at the hospital on Nov 8th.
UPDATE: Crash location: Hwy 58 near MP 64
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On November 11, at approximately, 10:12PM, a silver Chevrolet Aveo, operated by Sabino Cuautenango-Zacualpa (25) of Salem, was traveling eastbound on Highway 58 during icy roadway conditions when he lost control of his vehicle. The Chevrolet Aveo crossed into the westbound lane and into the path of a white, 1999, Ford F-350 pickup, operated by Kenneth Lane, age 83, from La Pine, where the two vehicles collided. Cuautenango-Zacualpa was pronounced deceased at the scene. Lane sustained minor injuries and declined medical transport. Highway 58 was reduced to one lane for approximately 5 hours to investigate and clear the roadway.
OSP was assisted by the Klamath County Sheriff's Office, Central Cascade Fire and EMS, and ODOT.
On November 9, 2022, at approximately 12:01PM, the Oregon State Police responded to a two vehicle collision on US-101, near MP 50.
The preliminary investigation indicated a fully loaded Peterbilt tanker truck, operated by Kenneth Walter Zwald (69) of Tillamook, was northbound on US 101, when for an unknown reason, it crossed into the opposing lane and struck a Mazda CX-5, operated by Gordon Stewart Beadle (81) of Campbell River (BC), head-on in the southbound lane. Both vehicle operators were transported for injuries. A passenger in the Mazda, Judy Gwyneth Beadle (79) of Campbell River (BC), was killed during the collision.
OSP was assisted by the Tillamook County Sheriff's Department and ODOT.
On November 10, 2022, at approximately 7:30PM, the Oregon State Police responded to a vehicle vs pedestrian crash on HWY 26, near MP 1.5.
The preliminary investigation indicated a westbound Toyota Camry, operated by Robert Greenawald (72) of Seaside, struck a pedestrian, Timothy L. Painter (65) of Seaside, who was walking within the westbound lane of HWY-26, near MP 1.5. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene. The operator of the vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.
OSP was assisted by the Cannon Beach Police Department, the Clatsop County Sheriff's Department, Seaside Fire, Medix, and ODOT.
On November 10, 2022, at approximately 6:36PM, the Oregon State Police responded to a vehicle vs pedestrian crash on US-30, near MP 82.
The preliminary investigation indicated the pedestrian, Hannah Jean Olson (25) of Astoria, attempted crossing US-30 at the intersection with old US-30, near MP 82. Olson crossed in front of a white Kia Sorento, operated by Remington Fay Toristoja (28) of Naselle (WA), who was traveling eastbound on US-30. Olson was struck and killed as she entered the eastbound lane of travel. The operator of the vehicle remained on scene and was cooperative with the investigation. Witnesses to the crash also remained on scene and provided statements.
OSP was assisted by the Clatsop County Sheriff's Department and ODOT.