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Police say motorist ‘miscalculated’ a turn, forcing FedEx truck off the road

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A driver died in a head-on collision with a semi on Highway 18 Northeast of Lincoln City, Oregon after his 4-wheeler failed to correctly navigate a curve in the road.

 

Dodge Caravan Crosses Median 

Oregon State Police and first responders were dispatched to the crash at milepost 12 shortly after 4 a.m. on Tuesday, March 13.

The preliminary investigation indicates a grey 2015 Dodge Caravan, driven by Ulysses Reyes Semsem, 58, from Hillsboro, Ore. was eastbound when he failed to negotiate a rightward sweeping curve.

The Dodge crossed the centerline and crashed head-on into the westbound FedEx commercial motor vehicle, sending the rig crashing down an embankment. Semsem was pronounced dead at the scene.

The FedEx commercial vehicle was driven by Ruby L. James, 59, from Coos Bay, Ore. and came to rest in a creek at the bottom of a 75 foot embankment. The passenger of the FedEX truck was identified as Tony E. Kimber, 54, from Yoncalla, Ore. James and Kimber were transported to Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital with minor injuries.

Highway Closed Five Hours

Highway 18 at the crash site was completely closed for five hours. Officials reopened the highway late Tuesday afternoon, but a hazmat team continued working on cleaning up fuel and fluid spilled from the commercial motor vehicle.

Grand Ronde Tribal Police Department, North Lincoln Fire & Rescue, Polk County Sheriff’s Department, Oregon Department of Transportation, Tillamook County Medical Examiner and District Attorney’s Offices assisted Oregon State Police in the crash investigation.

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