Hwy. 126W Fatal, Oct. 13

Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into Friday afternoon’s single vehicle traffic crash along Highway 126W near Veneta that turned fatal after the driver was transported to a hospital. On October 10, 2014 approximately 2:45 p.m., a 2006 Mercedes Benz driven by JERRY BYRON (J.B.) HOWELL, age 80, from Walton, was traveling westbound on Highway 126W near milepost 48 when it traveled across the eastbound lane and off the road, crashing into a tree. Local emergency responders including Lane Fire Authority were dispatched and HOWELL was extricated from the vehicle. He was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend and reportedly died about two hours later.