On Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at approximately 5:10 A.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 84, near milepost 275, in Union County. The preliminary investigation indicated a westbound Volvo (CMV) and trailer, operated by Ilker Ozgur (30) of Woodside (NY), lost control, flipped onto the passenger side and came to a rest with the trailer blocking the fast lane- top towards the west. A westbound Volkswagen Beetle, operated by Robert Eugene Floyd (60) of North Powder, struck the crashed trailer and ejected the operator (Floyd) from the vehicle. A westbound Freightliner (CMV) and trailer, operated by Jeffrey Miles Floyd (61) of Goose Creek (SC), also struck the crashed trailer, causing it to enter the median. A third commercial motor vehicle, a Peterbilt and trailer, operated by Jerry Kent Gray (61) of North Power, struck debris in the roadway as it passed the crash site and became inoperable due to the damage. The operator of the Volvo (Ozgur) was assessed for injury at the scene and declined medical transport. The operator of the Volkswagen (Robert Floyd) was declared deceased at the scene. The operator of the Freightliner (Jeffery Floyd) was injured and transported to a local hospital. The operator of the Peterbilt (Gray) was not injured. The highway was impacted for approximately 9 hours during the on-scene investigation. The investigation into the initial Volvo crash is under investigation. The secondary crashes, which involved the Volvo trailer, are also being investigated. OSP was assisted by La Grande PD, La Grande Fire, and ODOT.
