On Thursday, June 29, 2023, at approximately 2:15 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy-97, at the intersection with Hwy-197, in Wasco County. The preliminary investigation indicated a northbound Ford F-250, operated by Frank Lee Serfoss (81) of Ronan (MT), was pulling a single axle utility trailer and crossed over the paved center median into the southbound lanes. The Ford crashed head-on into a southbound International Semi-tractor, operated by Christopher Michael Dalton (30) of Clifton (AZ), which was pulling a flatbed semi-trailer. The operator of the Ford (Serfoss) was declared deceased at the scene. The operator of the semi-truck (Dalton) sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was treated, but was not transported to a hospital. The roadway was impacted for approximately 4 hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. OSP was assisted by Jefferson County Fire and EMS, South Wasco Fire and Rescue, Life Flight, and ODOT.
