Pendleton residents injured in Wasco County crash

By Griffin Beach on Monday, April 7th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories

WASCO COUNTY – Three Pendleton residents were injured after a head-on crash on U.S. Highway 97 in Wasco County on Friday.

According to Oregon State Police at 9:08 p.m. a Honda CRV driven by 34-year-old Eduardo Aguirre, 34, of Spokane attempted to pass a commercial semi-truck in a no-passing zone and struck a northbound Volkswagen Atlas driven by Eric Smidt, 45, of Pendleton.

A 7-year-old boy in the Honda was airlifted to a hospital and later declared deceased. Aguirre and another 4-year-old male passenger in the car were seriously injured and transported to an area hospital.

Smidt, passenger Heather Smidt, 45, of Pendleton, and a 15 year-old male passenger of Pendleton were seriously injured and transported to a local hospital for treatment.

An unlawful pass is considered a primary cause of the crash.

Oregon State Police were assisted by the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon Department of Transportation.