The crash happened at approximately 8:47 a.m. on September 28, 2026, near milepost 278 on westbound I-84 in Union County.
Union County, OR – A semi-truck driver was killed Monday morning after another tractor-trailer left Interstate 84 and struck a disabled rig that was stopped on the westbound shoulder near North Powder.
The crash happened at approximately 8:47 a.m. on September 28, 2026, near milepost 278 on westbound I-84 in Union County.
A Freightliner tow truck operated by 50-year-old Dennis James Fenn of La Grande was stopped on the shoulder while preparing to tow a disabled Peterbilt semi-truck and trailer. The Peterbilt was operated by 46-year-old Kevin Wesley Russell of Leachville, Arkansas. While the tow operation was underway, a westbound Kenworth semi-truck and trailer driven by 52-year-old Mark William Galyen of Baker City left the roadway and collided with the disabled Peterbilt. The impact also struck Russell, who was standing outside his truck at the time.
Russell was pronounced dead at the scene. Galyen suffered minor injuries and was taken to an area hospital for treatment. Fenn was not injured.
The circumstances that caused the Kenworth to leave the roadway have not been determined, and the crash remains under investigation.
The highway was closed for six hours as investigators worked at the scene.
The incident remains under investigation.