Fatal west of Sheridan, Jan. 5

Oregon State Police troopers are continuing the investigation into Thursday morning’s fatal vehicle versus pedestrian crash on highway 18B, in Sheridan, in Yamhill County. Preliminary investigation indicates that a dark gray, 2006, Pontiac Vibe, operated by TOM MISHLER, 81, of Sheridan, was eastbound in the eastbound lane of travel on highway 18B near milepost 5, just inside Sheridan, when he struck 66-year-old CONNIE K. NICKESON, of Sheridan, who was in the eastbound lane on the roadway in a wheelchair. NICKESON was pronounced deceased at the scene. MISHLER was located by Yamhill County Sheriff’s Deputies shortly after the crash and contacted by troopers thereafter. He is cooperating with investigators at this time and was not injured during the crash. Troopers do not believe alcohol to be a factor in this crash and the reason MISHLER did not remain at the crash scene is still under investigation. Highway 18B was closed for approximately 5 hours while troopers completed the investigation, including a full reconstruction of the incident. OSP was assisted by the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon Department of Transportation, Yamhill County District Attorney’s Office, Medical Examiner, McMinnville Police Department and the Grand Rhonde Tribal Police Department.