Hwy. 42 Fatal, Dec. 12

Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into Thursday afternoons fatal motor vehicle crash on highway 42 near milepost 4; 10 miles southeast of Coos Bay. Preliminary investigation indicates that a black, 1996 BMW coupe, was westbound on highway 42 when for unknown reasons it crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a 2004 Chevrolet Venture van. The driver of the BMW, identified as ROBERT WOLDT, 81, from Winston, died as a result of the crash; he was wearing a seatbelt. The driver of the Chevrolet Venture, identified as ROSE MIDDENDORFF, 45, from Coos Bay, was seriously injured and transported by ground ambulance to Bay Area Hospital and subsequently flown to Emmanuel Hospital in Portland for further treatment; she was wearing her seatbelt. Her passenger, Karen Patterson, 61, from Coos Bay, was transported to Bay Area hospital with serious injuries, seatbelt use information is not available at this time for Patterson. OSP was assisted at the scene by Millington Fire, Green Acres Fire, Bay Cities Ambulance, Oregon Department of Transportation, Coos County Sheriff’s Office, North Bend Police Department, Coos Bay Police Department, Coos County District Attorney’s Office and the Coos County Medical Examiner’s Office.