Off to a great start, OSP reports 12 winter condition crashes in Baker County over three days.
By Garrett Christensen on Wednesday, December 6th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER COUNTY – Winter driving isn’t easy. Frequent precipitation, high winds, limited daylight, hampered visibility and the ever-present threat of ice can make even trivial trips into dangerous endeavors. Eastern Oregon drivers were put to the test last week as the region was hit with its first significant snowfall of the year. The result? Oregon State Police reported no less than 12 winter condition related driving incidents in Baker County over the course of three days. Though most of the incidents, thankfully, resulted in no major injuries, they serve as a reminder to drivers to take extra precautions when driving in winter conditions.
These incidents began late Thursday, November 30, and continued through Saturday, December 2. The official OSP descriptions for all 12 incidents, including time and location, are as follows:
1.
Date:11/30/23
Time: 07:17 A.M.
Location: Highway 7, Milepost 37, Northbound.
Description: “The driver of a 2006 white Ford Focus lost control on the icy roadway while negotiating a left curve. The vehicle spun around and struck the guardrail on the right shoulder. The vehicle came to an uncontrolled rest in the northbound lane of travel, however, the driver was able to move the vehicle and parked the vehicle on the right shoulder. No injuries were reported by the driver at the scene. There was no roadway blockage or public property damage. (Vehicle was towed by Roadrunner Tow)”
2.
Date: 11/30/23
Time: 09:12 P.M.
Location: I-84, Milepost 292, Eastbound
Description: “On stated date and time I responded to a rollover crash that occurred near MP 292 on 1-84. A red Toyota Tacoma towing a gray Toyota Sienna on a car dolly was eastbound when the driver the lost control and the vehicle left the roadway by way of the right shouler. The vehicles rolled at least once before both coming to rest on on their sides. The driver was cleared by medical personnel on scene. The driver was given a courtesy ride by a friend and the driver had arranged his own tow for the vehicles.”
3.
Date: 12/01/23
Time: 04:36 A.M.
Location: I-84 Milepost 323
Description: “The Oregon State Police responded to a CMV non-injury crash. A Trooper responded to the scene. The CMV was pulling a set of doubles and began to slide on the ice. The male driver attempted to maintain control, but the rear trailer ultimately rolled over onto its left side. The combination came to a controlled stop with the rear trailer blocking the B-lane. Roadrunner Towing responded at the company’s request to remove the vehicle. No citation was issued.”
4.
Date: 12/01/23
Time: 05:06 A.M.
Location: I-84, Milepost 325, Eastbound
Description: “During extremely icy road conditions, A Commercial motor vehicle (Tractor, double trailers combo) lost control on the icy roadway. The CMV exited the roadway by way of the median. The CMV came back onto the eastbound direction of travel, however, the second trailer separated from the first trailer. The second trailer flipped over and came to rest on its left side blocking the B lane. No cargo was released from the second trailer. (Note* The blocking trailer was towed from the scene by ROADRUNNER TOWING). A second CMV (Tractor/semi-trailer combo) came upon the trailer blocking the B lane.
The second CMV semi-trailer was damaged on the right side, as the second CMV was attempting to avoid striking the blocking trailer. The second CMV was able to drive away from the scene. A SUV was also damaged as it attempted to avoid striking the blocking trailer. The SUV sustained extensive damage to the right side. The SUV was parked in the median and the driver made arrangements for a tow. No citations were issued and there was no public property damage. The B lane was blocked for approximately 2 hrs.”
5.
Date: 12/01/23
Time: 06:41 A.M.
Location: I-84, Milepost 340, Westbound
Description: “The Oregon State Police were dispatched to a non-injury crash involving a black Chevy truck and a CMV set of doubles (Fed Ex Truck). The CMV combination was traveling at a slow speed with its hazard lights on due to the winter driving conditions. The male driver of the pickup was behind the combination and activated its brakes too late to stop and ultimately crashed into the rear of the combination. The combination was pulled to the nearest offramp by ODOT to reduce the traffic hazard the crash caused. The Trooper closed the B-lane until the pickup was towed from the scene by 5-Star Towing. The driver of the pickup was cited for following too close prior to leaving the scene. The rear trailer of the combination was towed from the scene by Roadrunner Towing.”
6.
Date: 12/01/23
Time: 10:12 A.M.
Location: Highway 7, Milepost 25.5, Southbound
Description: “The Oregon State Police were dispatched to a gold passenger car versus grey pickup crash. The female driver of the car was going too fast for conditions when attempting to make a right turn and struck the pickup on the driver’s side. Both drivers moved the vehicles to Sumpter at a local business until a Trooper arrived. The Trooper conducted the traffic investigation, determined no injuries, no need for a tow and no citations were issued.”
7.
Date: 12/01/23
Time: 10:38 A.M.
Location: I-84, Milepost 304, Westbound
Description: “CMV westbound on slick road surface due to winter weather. Driver lost control of CMV, crossed the median and jacknifed in the eastbound A lane. No injuries. No state property damage. Baker Valley Towing removed the crashed vehicle.”
8.
Date: 12/01/23
Time: 11:44 A.M.
Location: Highway 86, Milepost 34, Westbound
Description: “Driver lost control of vehicle on snowy roadway surface and crashed into guardrail. No injuries. Guardrail damaged. ODOT pulled vehicle out of roadway to clear blockage. Owner to arrange for recovery of damaged vehicle.”
9.
Date: 12/01/23
Time: 11:54 A.M.
Location: Highway 7, Milepost 23.5, Northbound
Description: “The Oregon State Police responded to a non-injury crash. A Trooper responded to the scene and observed a trailer left near the shoulder of the highway partially blocking the northbound lane. There was road evidence of a crash with state property damage (2- signs down). There were no other vehicles in the area. The Trooper called the company number on the side of the trailer and spoke to a manager who advised they would recover the trailer ASAP. This trailer caused multiple other slide-offs due to being in a blind curve and winter weather.
The driver later contacted the Trooper and admitted to being the driver. The Trooper will be issuing a criminal citation for failing to perform the duties of a driver on a future date. Employees for the company came to the scene and removed the trailer without issue and no tow was required. No injuries were reported.”
10.
Date: 12/01/23
Time: 03:59 P.M.
Location: I-84, Milepost 295, Westbound
Description: “OSP responded to a single commercial motor vehicle crash on 1-84W near mile marker 295. A white Freightliner pulling a standard reefer trailer spun out on an incline and jack-knifed the CMV into an ODOT cable barrier. OSP requested a non-preference tow to remove the vehicle to the Baker Valley Rest Area, the vehicle was still drivable under its own power but was facing the wrong direction. No injuries were reported.”
11.
Date: 12/01/23
Time: 07:15 p.m.
Location: I-84, Milepost 297, Westbound
Description: “OSP responded to a single commercial motor vehicle crash on I-84W near mile marker 297. As the CMV was slowing down to enter the rest area on icy/snowy roads, the trailer started to slide behind the tractor. The driver was unable to straighten out the tractor/trailer combo before the vehicle tipped onto the driver’s side. The CMV/Trailer came to an uncontrolled rest on the driver’s side, blocking both lanes of the freeway. OSP requested a non-preference tow to remove the vehicle. The freeway was shut down for 3 and a half hours due to the wreck. The driver received a careless driving citation.”
12.
Date: 12/02/23
Time: 05:52 P.M.
Location: Highway 86, Milepost 9, Westbound
Description: “OSP responded to a single vehicle rollover on Highway 86 near mile post 9. A silver Ford E-350 lost traction on black ice causing the rear end to slide. The driver over-corrected and rolled the van. The van came to an uncontrolled rest on its tires. No injuries were reported. OSP ordered a non-preference tow to remove the vehicle, per the drivers request.”
Remember to always slow down to match conditions. Use https://tripcheck.com/ to check local road conditions and hazards before departing.
