Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into Saturday afternoon’s multi-vehicle fatal crash on 126W near Veneta. On May 18, 2019 at about 3:30 PM, OSP and first responders were dispatched to a multi-vehicle crash on Highway 126W near milepost 50. Preliminary investigation revealed that several eastbound vehicles were stopped on 126W near the intersection of Lake Side Drive waiting for a vehicle to make a turn. A Chevrolet pickup operated by Thomas HILL, age 39, from Eugene, was eastbound and failed to observe traffic coming to a stop. The Chevrolet pickup rear ended a Dodge pickup, operated by Christopher STUART, age 29 from Florence. The impact caused the Dodge pickup to go into the westbound lane where it crashed into a Ford Focus operated by Jennifer STEPHENSON, age 37, from Noti. STEPHENSON suffered fatal injuries from the impact. STEPHENSON’s passenger, Matthew MARCUERQIAGA, age 39, from Noti, sustained serious injuries and was transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend. STUART sustained critical injuries and was also transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend. Highway 126W was closed for about two hours during the investigation.
