According to the Oregon State Police, the incident was reported on State Route 97 near milepost 65 at around 9:30 p.m. on April 4
Wasco County, OR – A male juvenile was killed in a head-on collision that injured five other people on Highway 97 in Wasco County last Friday night.
According to the Oregon State Police, the incident was reported on State Route 97 near milepost 65 at around 9:30 p.m. on April 4.
A preliminary investigation revealed a southbound Honda CRV operated by 34-year-old Eduardo Enrique Aguirre of Spokane (WA), attempted to pass a commercial motor vehicle in a no-passing zone and collided head-on with a northbound Volkswagen Atlas driven by Eric Daniel Smidt, 45, of Pendleton.
A passenger of the Honda, a male juvenile, 7, was airlifted to the hospital, where he was later declared deceased. Aguirre and a passenger, a male juvenile, 4, were seriously injured and transported to an area hospital for treatment.
Smidt and passengers, Heather Marie Smidt, 46, and a male juvenile,15, of Pendleton, were seriously injured and transported to an area hospital for treatment.
The highway was impacted for approximately five hours during the on-scene investigation.
An unlawful pass is considered a primary cause of the crash.
More details about the accident were not provided.
The incident remains under investigation.