Editor’s note: This report is based on information submitted by the Oregon State Police. All crashes with fatalities may not be included. The status of incidents might change after further investigation.
FRIDAY, JAN. 9
• 6:20 p.m. — Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 97 about 30 miles north of Modoc Point in rural Klamath County that took the life of Douglas Alan Fordyce, 61, of Caldwell, Idaho. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that Fordyce was stopped westbound on Silver Lake Road at the intersection with Highway 97 in a Ford F-450. The Ford attempted to enter the highway and was struck by a southbound semitruck driven by a 29-year-old Fresno, California, man, causing a side-impact collision. Fordyce was declared deceased at the scene. The truck driver and a 31-year-old Fresno, California, man passenger suffered minor injuries.
SATURDAY, JAN. 10
• 11:43 a.m. — Troopers responded to a vehicle-pedestrian crash on Highway 97 south of Madras that took the life of Jared Elijah Cooper, 38, of Madras. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that a Ford Explorer driven by a 63-year-old Sandy, Utah, man was on the shoulder of the roadway and began to merge into the northbound lanes when it struck Cooper while reentering the highway. Cooper was declared deceased at the scene. Oregon State Police is requesting any witnesses to the fatal crash that occurred between 11:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. near milepost 10 to contact investigators to provide any information related to the incident. Cooper was associated with a gray or aluminum Dodge Grand Caravan that was parked at the crash scene. Investigators are looking for any information related to the vehicles prior to and at the time of the crash. Anyone with information is asked to contact OSP’s Northern Command Dispatch Center at 800-442-0776 or by dialing *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone (reference case number SP26-010591).
• 1:46 p.m. — Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 26 about 1 mile east of the Highway 101 intersection in Clatsop County that took the life of Smith Ward Humphreys, 47, of Warrenton. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that Humphreys was driving a westbound Subaru Forester when it crossed into the eastbound lanes to pass westbound vehicles and struck an eastbound Toyota Rav4 driven by a 37-year-old Whittier, California, woman. Humphreys was declared deceased at the scene. The Toyota’s driver and a 33-year-old Whittier, California, man passenger suffered serious injuries and were transported to an area hospital.
MONDAY, JAN. 12
• 8:57 a.m. — Troopers responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 58 about 3 miles east of Oakridge that took the life of Aaron Henry Longton, 64, of Port Orford. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that Longton was driving an eastbound Ford F-250 when he lost control and rolled in the ditch. Longton, who was the truck’s sole occupant, was ejected from the vehicle during the roll. Longton was declared deceased after being transported to an area hospital.
TUESDAY, JAN. 13
• 8:43 a.m. — Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 154 north of its intersection with Highway 153 in Yamhill County that took the life of Marcel Israel Benavides, 35, of Dayton. OSP’s preliminary investigation indicated that Benavides was driving a southbound Kia Spectra when it crossed the centerline for unknown reasons and struck a northbound semitruck driven by a 26-year-old Salem man. Benavides was declared deceased at the scene.
