On Sept. 21, 2023, at 4:59 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy-34, near milepost 1, in Linn County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a Ford Fusion, operated by Jimmie Eugene Beck Jr., 19, of Newport, was westbound on Hwy-34 in the fast lane. The Ford left the fast lane, crossing the center turn lane and into the oncoming eastbound lane where it struck a silver Nissan Versa, operated by Jennifer Davina Gere, 43, of Lebanon, head-on.
Gere was declared deceased by responding medical personnel at the scene. The operator of the Ford, Beck, was extricated from the vehicle and transported to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis with serious injuries.
The highway was impacted for approximately six hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is under investigation. OSP was assisted by the Benton County Sheriff’s Department, Corvallis Police Department and Corvallis Fire.