Hwy. 97 Fatal, Klamath Co.
Klamath County, Ore 17 Jan 2024 – On Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 9:45 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a commercial motor vehicle versus passenger vehicle crash on Hwy 97, near milepost 193, in Klamath County. The preliminary investigation indicated a Chrysler Pacifica, operated by Juan Ochoa Bravo (39) of Bend, was traveling northbound when it lost control and slid into the southbound travel lane. A southbound Peterbilt commercial motor vehicle and trailer, operated by Iskanyan Avetis Vardani (56) of Los Angeles (CA), attempted to avoid the Chrysler by swerving off the southbound shoulder of the highway. The front passenger side of the Chrysler collided with the front end of the Peterbilt causing significant damage and sending the Chrysler spinning across the northbound lane. The operator of the Chrysler (Juan Ochoa Bravo), Eve Saldana Alcantar (37), Erik Ochoa Saldana (18), a female juvenile (15), and a male infant (1) were declared deceased at the scene. An additional female juvenile (11) passenger was transported to a local medical center with critical injuries. The operator of the Peterbilt (Vardani) was reportedly not injured. The highway was impacted for approximately 5 hours during the on-scene investigation. Roadway conditions and several passengers not wearing proper safety restraints are primary factors in the crash. OSP was assisted by Crescent Fire and ODOT.
Fatal Hwy. 97, Klamath Co.
Klamath County, Ore 17 Jan 2024 – On Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 6:28 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a commercial motor vehicle versus pickup crash on Hwy 97, near milepost 197, in Klamath County. The preliminary investigation indicated a northbound GMC pickup, operated by Michael Randolph Lasley (78) of Clearlake (CA), crossed into the southbound lane and struck a southbound Peterbilt commercial motor vehicle and trailer, operated by Zachary Ryan Sprangler (29) of Grants Pass, head on. The operator of the GMC (Lasley) was declared deceased at the scene. The operator of the Peterbilt (Sprangler) was reportedly not injured. The highway was impacted for approximately 5 hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is under investigation. OSP was assisted by Chemult Fire and ODOT.