Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into Thursday afternoon’s, July 11, two vehicle fatal crash on Highway 211 near Molalla. On July 11, 2019 at about 3:20 PM, OSP troopers and emergency personnel responded to a two vehicle crash on Highway 211 near South Mackburg Road. Preliminary investigation revealed that a Saturn Ion, operated by Tyler Bracken, age 18 and passeger Eric Santos, age 18, both from Beaverton, were traveling southbound on Highway 211. Bracken attempted to pass several vehicles in the northbound lane on a blind corner. A Ford F250 pickup, operated by Craig Buche, age 53, from Molalla, was approaching in the northbound lane of travel. Bracken veered to the right, applied his brakes, overcorrected and lost control. The Saturn Ion travelled onto a soft shoulder and began sliding across both lanes of travel and was struck by the Ford F250 pickup. Bracken was transported by air-ambulance to Oregon Health Science University for life threatening injuries and Santos was pronounced deceased at the scene after life saving measures were performed. Buche did not sustain any injuries during the crash. Highway 211 was closed for approximately 4 hours during the investigation.
