Hwy. 99E Fatal, Dec. 12

On Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at approximately 5:10 pm, Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a motor vehicle crash on Hwy 99E near milepost 36.5.  This is approximately 1/2 mile south of Gervais. Preliminary investigation revealed that a white 1996 Honda Accord, operated by Jose Alfredo Garcia-Ortega, age 35, of Woodburn, OR, was traveling northbound on Hwy 99E when for unknown reasons it drifted over the lane lines and into the southbound lane and struck a 2000 Chevrolet box truck, operated by Jasper Davenport, age 35, of Mill City, OR.   Garcia-Ortega’s vehicle then collided with a third vehicle, a 2003 Toyota Tacoma pickup, operated by Nick Martishev, age 53, of Gervais, OR. Garcia-Ortega sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene.  He was not wearing a seat belt. Davenport and Martishev were transported to the Salem Hospital for treatment of injuries. Hwy 99E was closed for approximately four hours.