On Saturday, June 9, 2018 at approximately 9:15 AM, Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a report of a two-vehicle serious injury crash on US-101 around milepost 132. Preliminary investigation revealed a blue 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier, allegedly operated by Rhonda Colleen Jean MESSER, age 38, of South Beach, was traveling southbound on US-101. Messer lost control of the vehicle and it spun into the northbound lanes. The Cavalier crashed, nearly head, on with a silver 2000 Lincoln passenger car operated by Robert Anthony FRANANO, age 75, of Newport. Both MESSER and a passenger, Gary Blaine MOORE, age 36, of Lincoln City, were ejected from the Cavalier and landed in the ditch on the east side of the roadway. FRANANO was extricated from the Lincoln by Depoe Bay Fire. All occupants were transported by air ambulance to various hospitals with serious and critical injuries. US-101 was closed for five and a half hours following the crash. OSP was assisted by ODOT, and Depoe Bay Fire District. Impairment, of Messer, is being considered as a contributing factor of the crash.
