The fatal collision occurred at approximately 2:43 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11, near milepost 123 on Interstate 84.
Gilliam County, OR – James Raugust Killed, 3 Injured in Three-Vehicle Crash on Interstate 84
Gilliam County, OR – A 77-year-old Washington man was killed, and another person was seriously injured in a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 84 in Gilliam County Tuesday afternoon, according to Oregon State Police.
The fatal collision occurred at approximately 2:43 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11, near milepost 123 on Interstate 84.
According to the preliminary investigation, James Thomas Raugust of Ocean Shores had pulled his westbound red Land Rover LR4 and Airstream trailer onto the right shoulder after experiencing a flat tire. An Oregon Department of Transportation Ford F550 maintenance truck, operated by Roger Vincent Birkeland of Arlington, stopped behind the disabled vehicle to assist. The ODOT truck was positioned in the right lane with an electronic reader board warning approaching motorists to move over.
A westbound white Toyota Highlander, operated by 48-year-old Burke Lloyd Oneal of Vancouver, Washington, struck the rear of the ODOT truck. The Toyota then lost control and struck Raugust and Birkeland as they were changing the flat tire.
Raugust was pronounced deceased at the scene. Birkeland was seriously injured and transported by Life Flight to an area hospital.
Melodie Marie Raugust, 80, a passenger in the Land Rover, suffered minor injuries. Oneal, the driver of the Toyota, also reported minor injuries.
Interstate 84 was impacted for approximately three hours while emergency crews and investigators worked at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation.