Multiple Fatal Crashes Reported on Oregon Highways
Oregon State Police investigating separate incidents in Malheur and Sherman Counties; public asked to assist in third case.
SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon State Police (OSP) responded to multiple serious crashes across the state over the weekend, resulting in several fatalities and serious injuries. Two deadly collisions occurred on Tuesday, November 4, while investigators are also seeking public assistance in a separate hit-and-run incident that left two people hospitalized.
Highway 201, Malheur County
Around 11:17 a.m. Tuesday, troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 201 near milepost 17 in Malheur County.
Investigators say a northbound Pontiac G5, driven by Phillip Earl Kinstrand, 70, of Vale, entered the southbound lane for reasons still under investigation and struck the trailer of a southbound Freightliner commercial truck driven by Zachary Dean Piper, 46, of Fruitland, Idaho.
Kinstrand was pronounced dead at the scene, while his passenger, Kayla Diane Harlan, 35, of Ontario, suffered serious injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital. The truck driver was not injured.
Highway 201 was closed for approximately two hours during the on-scene investigation. OSP was assisted by the Ontario Police Department and Ontario Fire Department.
Highway 97, Sherman County
Later that same day, at approximately 5:35 p.m., OSP troopers were called to another fatal crash, this time on Highway 97 near milepost 43 in Sherman County.
A northbound Chevrolet Impala, driven by Eric Neal Barton, 66, of Corvallis, reportedly crossed into the southbound lane and struck a southbound International Harvester truck and trailer operated by Preston Dejion Shepherd, 35, of Hanford, California.
Barton was killed at the scene. The truck driver was not injured.
The highway remained closed for roughly four hours as troopers investigated. OSP was assisted by the Sherman County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).
OSP Seeks Public Help, Serious Injury Crash in Annex
OSP is also asking for public assistance in identifying the driver of a pickup truck believed to have caused a serious injury crash on Sunday, November 2, in Annex, Oregon, near the Idaho border.
Investigators say the crash happened around 3:22 p.m. on Highway 95 (Business Route) near Deck Street when an unknown pickup truck “brake checked” a Harley Davidson motorcycle, causing the motorcycle to swerve into oncoming traffic and collide nearly head-on with another pickup.
Both the driver and passenger of the motorcycle suffered serious injuries.
The suspect vehicle is described as a lifted, white or gray two-door Toyota Tacoma, possibly a 2015 model, with Idaho license plates and possibly a sticker in the rear window. It was last seen traveling toward Weiser, Idaho.
Anyone with information, including dash cam footage, is urged to contact OSP’s Southern Command Center at 800-442-2068 or dial *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone. Please reference case number SP25-455662.