On Thursday, June 15, 2023, at approximately 11:47 A.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a two vehicle crash on Hwy 223, at the intersection with Rickreall Rd, in Polk County. The preliminary investigation indicated a yellow Volkswagen Beetle, operated by Lorine M. Wooldridge (66) of Dallas, was travelling eastbound on Hwy 223 when it took the exit at Rickreall Rd. The Volkswagen made a U-turn on Rickreall Rd and drove the wrong way back towards Hwy 223. The Volkswagen attempted to merge back onto the highway heading eastbound and was struck in the drivers side door by a white Ford F-150, operated by Perry G. Freeman II (49) of Dallas. The operator of the Volkswagen (Wooldridge) was pronounced deceased at the scene. A passenger in the Volkswagen, Margaret McCloud (77) of Dallas, suffered serious injury and was transported to a local hospital. The operator of the Ford (Freeman II) was uninjured. A passenger in the Ford, Perry Freeman III (20) of Dallas, was uninjured in the crash. The roadway was impacted for approximately 3 hours during the on-scene investigation. OSP was assisted by: Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Dallas Police Department, Dallas Fire, SW Polk Fire, and ODOT.
