Students Killed on Hwy. 126W, Nov. 7

Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into Thursday morning’s single vehicle traffic crash that resulted in the death of two people and injuries to three others on Highway 126W east of Florence. November 6, 2014, at approximately 7:00 a.m., local emergency responders and OSP troopers from the Springfield and Florence offices were dispatched to a single vehicle crash on Highway 126W at milepost 15 near Mapleton in Lane County. Upon arrival, troopers located the vehicle on its top down a steep embankment with 5 juvenile occupants. 17 year-old ABIGAIL BOYDSTON, of Noti, and 16 year-old WESTON BOWMAN, of Mapleton, were pronounced deceased at the scene. The three remaining juvenile passengers were treated for injuries sustained during the crash. The cause the crash and safety belt use for all occupants is still undetermined and the investigation is ongoing. Trooper Ricky Hamilton of the Springfield Area Command is the lead investigator and may be reached at (541)726-2536. All occupants were students at Mapleton High School (MHS). The Lane County Sheriff’s Office notified MHS of the crash and they are working with students and staff to provide grief counseling for those impacted by this event.