On September 25, 2021, at about 2:19 P.M., Oregon State Police Trooper and emergency personnel responded to the report of a crash involving two motorcycles on Hwy 126 E near milepost 13, east of Mackenzie Bridge. The preliminary investigation revealed that a blue 1993 BMW K11 motorcycle, operated by Karly Rudolph Klassen (60) of Springfield, Oregon was traveling eastbound on 126E and entered into the oncoming lane of travel, possibly to pass other motorists. A second motorcycle, a maroon 2014 Harley-Davison, operated by Michael Brad Siegel (68) of Tucson, Arizona was making a left-hand turn onto a forest service road when it was T-boned by the blue BMW. Life-saving measures were taken by medical personnel that happen to be in the area, but Klassen suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Siegel was life-flighted to the Riverbend Hospital in Springfield with serious injuries. Siegel was interviewed at the hospital later that night and confirmed what the evidence at the scene had shown. He is in the ICU but expected to survive.
Hwy. 126 Fatality Update, Lane Co.
On September 25, 2021, at about 2:19 P.M., Oregon State Police Trooper and emergency personnel responded to the report of a crash involving two motorcycles on Hwy 126 E near milepost 13, east of Mackenzie Bridge. The preliminary investigation revealed that a blue 1993 BMW K11 motorcycle, operated by Karl Rudolph Klassen (60) of Springfield, Oregon was traveling eastbound on 126E and entered into the oncoming lane of travel, possibly to pass other motorists. A second motorcycle, a maroon 2014 Harley-Davison, operated by Michael Brad Siegel (68) of Tucson, Arizona was making a left-hand turn onto a forest service road when it was T-boned by the blue BMW. Life-saving measures were taken by medical personnel that happen to be in the area, but Klassen suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Siegel was life-flighted to the Riverbend Hospital in Springfield with serious injuries. Siegel was interviewed at the hospital later that night and confirmed what the evidence at the scene had shown. He is in the ICU but expected to survive.