Hwy. 18 Fatal, March 10

Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into Sunday afternoon’s single vehicle fatal traffic crash that occurred along Highway 18 east of Sheridan near Caleb Payne Road. The name of the se riously injury female driver and deceased male passenger are withheld and may not be released until Monday pending confirmation of next of kin notification. Preliminary information indicates on March 9, 2014 at approximately 1:45 p.m., a passenger car driven by an adult female was eastbound on Highway 18 near milepost 36. As the driver was negotiating through a left curve, the car traveled off the right shoulder and into a ditch where it went airborne. The car struck a power pole and as it came to rest off the highway, both occupants were trapped inside. The female driver was extricated by Sheridan Fire District firefighters. She was transported by air ambulance to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center with serious injuries. The adult male passenger was pronounced deceased at the scene. PGE personnel came to the scene to repair the damaged pole.