On Sunday, February 19, 2023, at approximately 6:23 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a crash on Hwy 30, near milepost 60, in Columbia County. The preliminary investigation indicated a military convoy traveling westbound on Hwy 30 had stopped on the westbound shoulder to address an unknown mechanical issue. A Humvee style vehicle associated with the convoy traveling eastbound had stopped in the eastbound passing lane. Two National Guardsmen exited the stopped Humvee to aid the convoy in addressing the mechanical issue. One of the Guardsmen, Gonzalo Martinez III (29) of Cleveland (TX) was struck by an eastbound 1997 Chevrolet pickup, operated by Richard L. Erickson (72) of Clatskanie, who was also traveling in the left lane. The Chevrolet then crashed into the parked Humvee. The driver of the Chevrolet pickup and the military member, were both transported to St. John’s Hospital in Longview (WA). The driver of the Chevrolet pickup remains in stable condition and the military member, Martinez III, was pronounced deceased. The highway was closed for approximately 6 hours while the on-scene investigation was conducted. The cause of the crash is under investigation. OSP was assisted by the Columbia County Sheriffs’ Office, Clatskanie Fire, and ODOT.
