Fatal on Hwy. 99W, Feb. 9

On February 7, 2018, at approximately 6:40 AM, the Oregon State Police responded to a 2 vehicle crash on Highway 99 W near milepost 28, which is approximately 1 mile south of Dundee, in Yamhill County. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2014 Freightliner semi-tractor trailer, operated by 46 year old Dwayne KEMP, of Tacoma, WA, was travelling southbound on Highway 99W when he went into cardiac arrest, causing his vehicle to veer off the road across the grass median and into the northbound lanes. While crossing the northbound lanes, the semi was struck by a 2005 Hyundai SUV, which was travelling northbound on Highway 99W. The collision occurred just off the highway on the east side of the northbound lane. KEMP was transported to Providence Hospital in Newberg, where he was pronounced deceased by medical personnel. The driver of the Hyundai, 49 year old Tarin BICKFORD, of McMinnville, passenger 21 year old, Emma ALLEN of McMinnville and a juvenile were transported to Willamette Valley Medical Center and treated for minor injuries. The occupants of both vehicles were wearing safety restraints. Highway 99W was open with one lane in either direction for approximately 6 hours with intermittent closures for vehicle removal and the reconstruction.