On Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at approximately 12:20 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy-20, near milepost 237, in Malheur County. The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Mercedes SUV, operated by Christina Cheryl Shane-Contarino (75) of Yreka (CA), was negotiating a curve when it crossed over the center line into the on-coming lane of travel. A westbound Peterbilt commercial motor vehicle, operated by Hijinio A Hernandez (34) of Ontario, attempted to avoid a collision with the Mercedes but was unable to do so. The vehicles collided head-on in the westbound lane, sending the Peterbilt into a nearby cornfield and the Mercedes onto the shoulder of the roadway. The operator of the Mercedes (Shane-Contarino) was declared deceased at the scene. The operator of the Peterbilt was reportedly uninjured. The highway was impacted for approximately 3 hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is being investigated. OSP was assisted by the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office, Vale Fire and Ambulance, and ODOT.
