High-Speed Fatality, Dec. 17

On Saturday, December 15, 2018 at approximately 10:07 PM, Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a report of a motor vehicle crash on Hwy 99W near milepost 114. Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2000 Honda Accord operated by, Saucedo Salvador-Mendez (21) of Cheshire was traveling southbound at a high rate of speed and collided with the back of a southbound 2011 Ford F350 PU operated by, Peter Haag (20) of Junction City. The front seat passenger in the Honda Accord, Francisco Jose Perez-Velasco (33) of Corvallis, was not wearing a seat belt and sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The rear passenger in the Honda Accord, Chase Pomaikai Kealoha (21) of Junction City, was wearing a seat belt and sustained minor injuries – not transported to the hospital. Salvador-Mendez was transported to Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend and treated for injuries. Haag sustained minor injuries and was not transported to the hospital. Alcohol impairment and speed by Salvador-Mendez are being investigated as probable factors. Hwy 99W southbound lanes were closed for approximately four hours.  ODOT created a detour in center turn lane to accommodate southbound traffic.