One seriously injured in Highway 395 crash

By Terry Murry on Wednesday, July 5th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

UMATILLA COUNTY – Both drivers were injured, one seriously, in a head-on collision on Highway 395 at milepost 4.5 between Pendleton and Pilot Rock this morning (Wednesday) at approximately 8:48.

Oregon State Police reports that a southbound driver of a white Toyota pickup truck left his lane of travel, struck a guardrail and then struck the driver of a of a red Jeep SUV in the northbound lane.

Highway 395 was closed due to the accident. Joseph Lester Wilcox, 53, was cited for careless driving. He and the driver of the SUV, Jeffery Lee Hammon, 46, of Pendleton were taken to St. Anthony Hospital. Ultimately, Hammon was transported by Life Flight to Kadlec Regional Medical Center’s trauma center. No hometown was reported for Wilcox by OSP.

The Oregon Department of Transportation and the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office provided backup for OSP during the crash, investigation, and cleanup.