Four people, including two Lebanon teens, died Monday evening, Jan. 30, in a two-vehicle crash on Hwy. 226 near Fish Hatchery Drive, Oregon State Police reported.
According to OSP, the crash occurred at approximately 7:26 p.m. A preliminary investigation indicated that a silver Hyundai Elantra, operated by Travis O. Longo, 20, of Albany, was traveling westbound on Hwy 226, near Milepost 4. While negotiating a curve at a high rate of speed, the Hyundai crossed into the eastbound traffic lane and struck a white Kia Sorrento, operated by Jessica M. Petrine, 29, whose city of residence was not avaialable, head-on. The collision caused the Elantra to roll and come to a rest on its roof.
As a result of the collision, Petrine was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to OSP. An 8-month-old baby girl, a passenger in the Sorrento, was transported to the Lebanon Community Hospital with reportedly non-life threatening injuries.
Longo was also pronounced deceased at the scene, as well as both of his passengers in the Elantra, Chloe L. Richmond, 18, of Lebanon, and Skye R. Huskey, 18, of Lebanon.
According to OSP, excessive speed is considered to be the greatest contributing factor to this crash. The Elantra was observed, just prior to the crash, traveling eastbound on Hwy 226, in reported speeds in excess of 100 mph.
The highway was closed for approximately six hours while the on-scene investigation was conducted.
OSP was assisted by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Scio Fire, and ODOT.