One dead after crash closes U.S. 97

WASCO – A three vehicle crash Friday resulted in one fatality, and US 97 near Wasco being closed for approximately six hours.

According to Oregon State Police a commercial semi-truck was traveling southbound near mile marker six when it failed to negotiate a curve, left the southbound lane and collided nearly head-on with another commercial semi-truck and a GMC pickup. Both semi-trucks came to an uncontrolled rest and caught fire, with wreckage and debris completely blocking the road. Personnel from the Sherman County Volunteer Fire Department were able to extinguish the fire on the second semi-truck, but the first semi-truck that was the initial cause of the wreck was completely engulfed in flames.

The driver of the first semi-truck was pronounced deceased on the scene. The passenger of the first semi-truck and the driver of the GMC were both transported by medics to Providence Hospital in Hood River for injuries.

Sherman County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon Department of Transportation also assisted on the scene.

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