On October 5, 2021 at approximately 7:36 PM, Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a motor vehicle collision involving a bicyclist on Hwy 51 near milepost 4. Preliminary investigation revealed that a southbound bicyclist, Frank Koch (80) of Independence, was struck from behind by a southbound Toyota Prius, operated by Krystal Kamback, (33) of Independence. Koch sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. Kamback was uninjured, remained at the scene and is cooperating with law enforcement. Hwy 51 was closed for approximately 3 hours.
