Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into Saturday evening’s multi-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 22E near Gates. On Saturday, June 22, 2019 at about 7:10 p.m., OSP Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a multi-vehicle collision on Highway 22E near milepost 39. The preliminary investigation revealed that a Toyota 4Runner, operated by Cody Schalk, age 33, from Salem, was traveling westbound, attempting to pass when it encountered eastbound traffic. The Toyota 4Runner had minor contact with an eastbound Kia Optima, operated by Brian Douglas Smith, age 30, from Bend. The Toyota 4Runner left the roadway before coming back on and having a major collision with an eastbound 2013 Ford Fiesta, operated by Raul Bello, age 34, from Bend. There were three passengers in the Ford Fiesta, which ended up in the north ditch on its side. The first passenger of the Ford Fiesta, a male juvenile, received life-threatening injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene after significant life-saving efforts. The second passenger of the Ford Fiesta, a female juvenile, received serious injuries and was transported by air ambulance from the scene to OHSU. The third passenger of the Ford Fiesta, Vanessa Bello, age 29, from Bend, was injured and transported by ground ambulance to the Salem Hospital, where she was admitted. Raul Bello was also transported by ground to the Salem Hospital, where he was treated and released. A Trooper assisted in giving him a ride to OHSU to be with his daughter. Schalk and his passengers Elizabeth Thiel, age 32, Mitchell Waterworth, age 33, and two female juveniles, all from the Salem area, received minor injuries and were treated at the scene. Highway 22E was closed initially for about 2 hours due to first aid efforts and scene preservation. OSP and ODOT then set up a detour to allow both directions of travel to continue while an OSP Reconstruction Team investigated the scene of the collision. OSP was assisted at the scene by Gates Rural Fire, Mill City Fire, Lyons Fire and ODOT.
