Witnesses sought in wrong-way crash

By Terry Murry on Monday, August 1st, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON – The investigation into Friday night’s wrong-way crash near milepost 216 on Interstate 84 eastbound is continuing. The crash took the life of Kari Ann Lindeman, 49, of La Grande and seriously injured the wrong-way driver.

OSP is seeking people who witnessed the crash in order to strengthen the investigation. Kari Ann Lindeman’s Ford Focus was hit head-on by a Dodge 3500 pickup operated by Gabriel Madrid Velasquez, 55, of Kennewick. He was taken by Life Flight to St. Mary Medical Center suffering from serious injuries. OSP does not have an update on his condition at last report.

The eastbound lanes were closed for six hours during the preliminary investigation. Oregon State Police can be reached at 541-278-4090.

A member of Lindeman’s family contacted Elkhorn Media Group stressing the call for someone who actually saw the crash. That, coupled with existing 911 calls about a wrong-way driver and witnesses before the accident took place, will make for a stronger case, they said.