On Wednesday September 21, 2016, at about 1:58 p.m., emergency responders were notified of a serious injury crash on Highway 99W near Stoller Rd. (Two miles north of Lafayette). Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2007 Ford pickup, pulling a dual axle utility trailer loaded with gravel, was southbound on Highway 99W, when for unknown reasons, veered right onto the southbound shoulder and then veered left into the oncoming northbound lane of travel. A 2005 Toyota Prius was northbound and unable to maneuver around the Ford, resulting in the Prius striking the passenger side of the Ford while in the northbound lane of travel. The operator of the Ford, Antonio SANCHEZ-GUILLEN, age 31, from McMinnville, was transported to the Willamette Valley Medical Center with minor injuries. The operator of the Prius, Velda MITCHELL, age 84, from Newberg, was transported by ambulance to the Willamette Valley Medical Center with serious injuries and then transferred to a Portland Area Hospital. The front passenger of the Prius, Richard MITCHELL, age 85, from Newberg, was transported by Lifeflight to a Portland Area Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. HWY 99W was closed for approximately three hours while the crash was investigated.
