Hwy. 18 Fatality, July 13

The Polk County Medical Examiner confirmed positive identification of a driver killed in a June 23, 2014, on Highway 18 about seventeen miles east of Otis. Both vehicles caught fire following impact and the deceased’s identity was confirmed using dental records.  The deceased driver was identified as JASON E. MACHADO, age 22, from Salem.  On June 23, 2014 at approximately 11:16 p.m., a 1997 Ford Escort driven by MACHADO was traveling eastbound on Highway 18 near milepost 18. For an unconfirmed reason, the Ford Escort crossed the centerline and collided with a westbound Mercedes sport utility vehicle occupied by two people. The Ford Escort was split into two sections and both vehicles caught fire.  The two occupants of the Mercedes got out of the Mercedes on their own and were later transported by ground ambulance to Salem Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. MACHADO was deceased at the scene.  The fire also spread to the side of the highway. The fire to both vehicles and along the highway was extinguished by responding firefighters.  OSP troopers from the Newport Area Command office are continuing the investigation.