Fatal Crash on Interstate 84 outside of La Grande

By Terry Murry on Thursday, March 10th, 2022 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

UNION COUNTY – (Release provided by Oregon State Police) On Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at approximately 8:50 AM, Oregon State Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 84 near milepost 259.

Preliminary investigation revealed an eastbound silver Mercedes GLS, operated by Brian Burton (59) of Portland, was stopped in the roadway for an earlier CMV crash. An eastbound blue Freightliner CMV, operated by Eddi Morales (30) of Othello, Washington, came around a curve and was unable to stop and collided with the left side of the Mercedes.

Burton sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. A passenger in the Mercedes, Helen Burton (62) of Portland, was uninjured. Morales was also uninjured in the crash.

Interstate 84 eastbound was closed for over 5 hours. Icy roadways and speed are being investigated as contributing factors to the crash.