Fatal on 126W, July 17

Oregon State Police (OSP) is still on scene investigating Wednesday afternoon’s two vehicle head-on crash on Highway 126W between Veneta and Eugene that resulted in the death of one person and critical injuries to a second person. The names of both drivers are not anticipated to be released until Thursday. Next of kin notifications are pending.  Preliminary information indicates on July 16, 2014 at approximately 1:10 p.m., a 2008 Toyota Prius driven by an elderly adult female was westbound on Highway 126W near milepost 50. For an unconfirmed reason, the Toyota traveled across the centerline and collided head-on with an eastbound 1986 Toyota 4 Runner sport utility vehicle driven by an adult male.  The car’s elderly female driver was pronounced deceased at the scene.  The other driver was extricated by firefighters and transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend with serious injuries. He is in critical condition.  Both drivers were believed to be using safety restraints.