2 pedestrians killed in I-84 crash

By Terry Murry on Monday, December 9th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON – (News release from Oregon State Police) On Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 10:09 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a commercial motor vehicle versus pedestrian crash on Interstate 84, near milepost 210, in Umatilla County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a westbound Volvo commercial motor vehicle and trailer, operated by Phill Culp (59) of Vancouver (WA), left the slow lane for unknown reasons, struck the guardrail and two pedestrians, before travelling down a steep embankment and rolling onto its side.

The pedestrians, John Charles Harrington (25) and Marcus Anthony Paul (24) of Pendleton, were both declared deceased at the scene.

The operator of the Volvo (Culp) suffered minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital.

The highway was impacted for five hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is under investigation. OSP was assisted by Pendleton Fire, Pendleton Police Department, Umatilla Tribal Police Department, and ODOT.