On August 15, 2018 at approximately 7:30 AM Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a two vehicle crash on Hwy 47 at Timber Rd intersection. Preliminary investigation reveals that a white Mercury Mountaineer, operated by Katarra M. Sigurdson (33) from Vernonia was turning north onto Hwy 47 from Timber Rd. A tan Subaru, operated by Nathan W. Gribner (56) from Vernonia was south on Hwy 47, behind a blue vehicle with its turn signal on believed to be turning right onto Timber Rd. The Mountaineer and the Subaru collided near the center of Hwy 47. The blue vehicle was not involved in the actual collision. Gribner was transported to the hospital with injuries, his passenger, Crystal H. Ritchie (61) from Vernonia, sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Sigurdson and a juvenile female passenger were transported to the hospital with injuries. OSP was assisted by Vernonia Police Department, Vernonia Fire Department, Metro West ambulance, and ODOT. OSP is requesting anyone that may have witnessed the crash or with any information regarding the crash to contact the Oregon State Police Northern Command Center at 503-375-3555 or *OSP from your cellular device and reference case # SP18-303759 – Senior Trooper Will Brindza.
