OSP Responded to semi crash near Medical Springs during recent I-84 chaos
By Garrett Christensen on Wednesday, December 24th, 2025 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
MEDICAL SPRINGS – On Thursday, December 18, 2025, I-84 became the site of automotive chaos. Heavy rain and wet snow caused numerous vehicles between Pendelton and Ontario to wreck or otherwise become stranded. Numerous secondary highways and local roads across Eastern Oregon similarly became bogged down with stranded or wrecked vehicles as many drivers attempted to find a way through, despite the hazardous conditions.
One particular wreck reported by OSP highlights the inherent danger of attempting to traverse unfamiliar routes during inclement weather, and just how unprepared many drivers were for the recent storm. At around 2:45 p.m. on December 18, the Oregon State Police responded to a single commercial motor vehicle (CMV) crash along State Route 203 near mile post 19.5 Southbound, just north of Medical Springs. A full description of the crash, as provided in a recent OSP press log, is as follows:
“OSP responded to a single vehicle CMV crash on SR 203B near mile post 19.5 south bound. The CMV was bypassing an Interstate 84 road closure and was operating without the required chains. The driver and sole occupant of the red Freightliner CMV slid through a left hand curve, went into a ditch, then drove up the side of the steep embankment where the truck and trailer came to an uncontrolled stop in a farmer’s field. The CMV and trailer was towed by FENNS Towing and the driver was cited for failure to use chains, failure to provide registration and failure to provide proof of insurance.”
No injuries to the driver were reported by OSP.
