The Oregon State Police wants to remind everyone to be prepared for winter driving conditions and to slow down. Two recent near-miss crashes act as reminders of the hazards of winter driving. 1 – On December 28, at around 7:10 p.m., two Oregon State Police troopers working a crash scene on I-84 near milepost 356 were outside their patrol car with emergency lighting activated when a car approached at too high of a rate of speed for the conditions and lost control. The car struck the patrol car causing damage to both. Both the driver of the car and the troopers were uninjured during the crash however, the patrol car had to be towed from the scene. 2 – On December 29, at around 9:47 a.m., Oregon State Police troopers responded to a two vehicle, non-injury crash involving a school bus on highway 101 near milepost 205 in Douglas County. Preliminary information indicates a red, 2012 Ford Fusion, was travelling southbound and passing a school bus from Newport carrying 24 students and three coaches to a basketball tournament in Coos Bay. The roadway was wet and covered with hail and as the Fusion was completing the pass it lost control and hit the front corner of the bus. The Fusion left the roadway and went down over the embankment; coming to rest about 150 feet later after striking trees and other debris. None of the occupants in the school bus were injured. The driver of the Fusion, identified as DOROTHY M. HENDERSON, 74, of Florence, and her passenger were assisted by the Reedsport Fire Department Rope Rescue Team; they sustained minor injuries during the crash. OSP was assisted by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), Reedsport Fire Department, Gardiner Fire Department and Mast Bros. towing. Be Prepared. Go to www.tripcheck.com and Know Before You Go.
