Three Vehicle Fatal on US 97, April 4

On April 2, 2017 at approximately 12:40pm, Oregon State Troopers responded to a multi-vehicle crash on Highway 97 near milepost 286, which is about 10 south of Klamath Falls in Klamath County. Preliminary investigation indicates that a 1994 Chevrolet pickup, operated by Jesus FLORES-NUNEZ, age 61, of Bend, OR, was traveling northbound on Hwy 97 when for an unknown reason was rear-ended by a 2017 Chrysler van, operated by Tamatha Crystal MARTIN, age 38, from California. The van then traveled into the southbound lane and collided head on with a 2014 Dodge pickup, operated by Karen WILSON, age 59, from California. MARTIN was pronounced deceased at the scene. The passenger with MARTIN, Trevor FOSTER, age 23, from Florida, was taken by air to Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford. The passengers in the Dodge pickup, Tina HOYIM, age 53, and Melissa Strubel, age 50, were transported to Sky Lakes Medical Center. Martha FLORES, age 61, was traveling with her husband in the Chevrolet pickup and they were transported to Sky Lakes Medical Center. The extent of their injuries is unknown. Both lanes of Hwy 97 remained closed for approximately nine hours while Troopers investigated the crash.