Traffic flow on the east-west route between Newport and Corvallis was interrupted Sunday, May 4, following a fatal accident. News alert from the Oregon State Police: “One lane open: Fatal Crash Hwy 20 east of Eddyville MP 17. Veh into river, 2 victims.” The news alert came out shortly before 1 p.m. News release from OSP: Oregon State Police, with the assistance of a Lincoln County-area interagency crash team, is continuing the investigation into the cause of Sunday morning’s single vehicle traffic crash that resulted in the death of two people along Highway 20 near Eddyville. The involved vehicle traveled off the highway and came to rest submerged on its top in the Yaquina River. The names of the two victims may not be released until Monday morning after confirmation of next of kin notifications. On May 4, 2014 at approximately 11:13 a.m., OSP Northern Command Center dispatch received a report of a vehicle rolling off Highway 20 near milepost 17 and coming to rest in the Yaquina River. Emergency responders from a local fire department, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, OSP and ODOT were dispatched to the scene. Preliminary investigation indicates a 2000 Chevrolet Impala driven by a 21-year old female was eastbound on Highway 20 negotiating a sharp right curve when it began to fishtail. The driver lost control, nearly hitting another vehicle and then went off the eastbound shoulder of the highway rolling into the Yaquina River on its top submerged in the water. Witnesses were unable to get to the car’s occupants. Emergency responders got to the overturned vehicle and found the driver and 24-year old male passenger inside unconscious. Both were transported to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis and pronounced deceased after arrival. The highway was closed for a brief period and then open to one lane of travel until investigator cleared the scene.
