Fatal near St. Helens, Aug. 15

Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into Thursday afternoons two vehicle fatal crash that occurred on Highway 30 within the city limits of Saint Helens. Preliminary investigation revealed that on August 11, 2016 at about 12:54 PM, a member of the Scappoose Police Department attempted to make an enforcement contact with a 2004 Toyota Highlander, driven by an adult male, in relation to a driving complaint on Highway 30. The operator of the Toyota Highlander initially pulled over and then fled the stop westbound on Highway 30. Scappoose Police pursued the Toyota Highlander for a short time and distance and terminated the pursuit in the interest of public safety. At about 12:57 PM, after the pursuit had been terminated, the operator of the Toyota Highlander crashed into the back of a westbound 2012 Honda Civic, driven by an adult female, on Highway 30 within Saint Helens. The Toyota Highlander left the roadway to the north over railroad tracks and came to an uncontrolled rest down an embankment. The Honda Civic went across three lanes and left the roadway to the south going through a fence and came to an uncontrolled rest in the yard of a residence. The male operator of the Toyota Highlander died from injuries sustained at the scene of the crash. The female operator of the Honda Civic sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital in Portland for treatment. It was determined by investigators that the operator of the Toyota Highlander was not wearing a safety belt. The female operator of the Honda Civic was wearing a safety belt at the time of the crash. OSP troopers from the Saint Helens Worksite are continuing the investigation into the crash. Names of involved are being withheld pending next of kin notification.