Fatal Near Waldport, Aug. 9

On August 7, 2016 at about 5:45PM OSP Troopers and emergency vehicles responded to the report of a motor vehicle crash on Highway 34 near milepost 2 (just outside of Waldport). Preliminary investigation revealed a 1989 Ford Ranger pickup was traveling westbound on Highway 34 when it swerved to avoid a 2001 Saturn sedan pulling from a driveway. The Ford left the roadway, traveled down a 25 foot embankment and rolled over into the Alsea River. The driver of the Ford, Evert L REDDING, age 61, of Waldport was taken to Samaritan Pacific Coast Hospital in Newport for non-life threatening injuries. A passenger, Stanley D WHITTLER, age 59, of Spokane, Washington, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The two vehicles did not make contact. The operator of the Saturn, Odette A DUNBAR, age 53, of Waldport is cooperating with the investigation.