Hwy. 51 Fatal, Polk Co.
On Sunday, October 31, 2021 at approximately 2:16 AM, Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a single vehicle crash on Highway 51 near milepost 2. Preliminary investigation revealed a Ford Focus, operated by Curtis Smith Jr. (30) of Monmouth, left the roadway at a high rate of speed and rolled. Prior to the crash the vehicle had been the subject of several reported driving complaints. Smith Jr. sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. Hwy 51 was closed for 3.5 hours.
Hwy. 219 Fatal, Marion Co.
On October 30, 2021, at approximately 4:41 P.M., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a three-vehicle crash on Highway 219 at Champoeg Road NE. Preliminary investigation revealed an Acura MDX, operated by Judee Fehsenfeld (62) of Wilsonville, was southbound on Hwy 219 and stopped just south of the intersection with Champoeg Road NE. After a brief stop, Fehsenfeld attempted to re-enter Hwy 219 when she collided with a southbound BMW K16 motorcycle, operated by H. Steven Sorensen (78) of Scio and passenger Joanne De May (77) of Salem. The collision between Fehsenfeld and Sorensen sent the motorcycle out of control into the northbound lane of Hwy 219 where it was struck by a northbound Kia Sorrento operated by Traci Holmes (58) of McMinnville. Both Sorensen and De May sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased. Holmes and her two passengers, Marla Robertson (67) and Beverly Lane (84) both of McMinnville, were all transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. Fehsenfeld was not injured.
Highway 219 was closed for approximately 4.5 hours.
Hwy. 6 Fatal, Tillamook Co.
On Sunday, October 31, 2021 at approximately 4:16 AM, Oregon State Police Troopers responded to the report of a two-vehicle head-on collision which occurred on Highway 6 near milepost 8. Preliminary investigation revealed a silver 2018 Ford F150 pickup, operated by Bradley Burton Harris (29) of Tillamook, was westbound when, for an unknown reason, the vehicle crossed over into the eastbound lane and struck an oncoming Mazda MZ3.The black Mazda was operated by Humberto Maciel (47) of Tillamook. Both vehicles sustained heavy damage and came to an uncontrolled rest blocking the entire highway. Maciel was sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. His passenger, Breanna Maciel (19) was transported to Legacy Emmanuel Hospital by Life Flight helicopter with life threatening injuries. Harris fled the scene immediately after the crash but was located by police near the crash scene approximately four hours later. Harris was transported initially to Tillamook Regional Medical Center for injuries then later transferred to Legacy Emmanuel hospital as a trauma patient. Harris is the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation. Hwy 6 was closed for 6 hours.