According to the Oregon State Police, a crash involving four trucks claimed the lives of two drivers.
The accident occurred on Sunday night on Interstate 84 east of Pendleton.
Lieutenant Mike Turner reported that on March 2, 2014, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Oregon State Troopers, Oregon Department of Transportation and local authorities were dispatched to numerous traffic crashes on I-84 near the 221 milepost– most of the accidents involved CMVs.
OSP said that on that night, heavy fog and icy roads were reported.
Crash investigators said early information indicates that one truck was driving on westbound I-84. The driver lost control on the ice and crashed on the side of the road, with the trailer partially covering the roadway. A short time later, two trucks came upon the scene and crashed in the disabled truck.
During the second crash, a 51-year-old driver from Texas was ejected from the truck. He died at the scene.
A second 51-year-old male from Washington was found in his truck. He also died at the scene.
Shortly thereafter, a fourth truck collided with the wreckage. The 4th truck’s occupants suffered minor injuries.
“Despite other minor injuries reported, no other persons are known at this time to have been taken to a hospital. There is no information indicating passenger vehicle involvement,” the OSP press release states.
The highway remained closed for 16 hours while investigators examined the scene and crews worked to clean up the wreckage.
No other information available for release at this time.
Source and Photographs – Oregon State Police
