Icy crashes on US97 lead to serious injuries & death [UPDATED]
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UPDATE: 5/12/22, 9:00 AM - Investigators seeking public assistance in identifying female driver who fled serious injury crash scene
Investigators of a serious injury crash in Klamath County are requesting assistance in identifying the female driver of a red Honda CRV. Investigators have exhausted their leads and are turning to witnesses to assist in locating the female.
After the crash the driver was observed walking north, in the northbound lane. She walked past the line of traffic, which was stopped. She was described as 30-40 years old, 5’ 3”, slightly heavy build, light brown to dark brown wavy hair, wearing a light brown jacket with hood and shorts.
Anyone with any information that could assist investigators in identifying the female driver are asked to contact OSP’s Dispatch Center at 800-442-0776 or *OSP (*677) from your mobile phone. Reference Case number SP22-110362
The following is a press release from the Oregon State Police.
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore - A pair of separate motor vehicle crashes on US97 north of Klamath Falls leads to serious injuries of a Chiloquin man in one and death of a California man in the other.
On May 10, 2022, at approximately 10:16 AM, Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a multiple-vehicle crash on Highway 97 near milepost 258 [south of Modoc Point Road].
Preliminary investigation revealed a red Honda CRV, operated by an unknown individual, lost control due to weather related conditions and struck a concrete barrier. After striking the barrier the vehicle was disabled in the southbound lane of travel. A southbound gold Honda Accord, operated by Gary Rugg (69) of Chiloquin Oregon, attempted to avoid the red Honda by swerving into the northbound lane. A northbound black Peterbilt, operated by Dallas Young (53) of Bredenbury, Saskatchewan, then struck the gold Honda. A fourth vehicle, a red Ford truck, operated by Martin Toro (63) of Klamath Falls Oregon, was struck at some point during the second collision.
Rugg was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the red Honda fled the scene and has not been located.
On May 11, 2022, at approximately 3:48 AM, Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 97 near milepost 232 [four miles south of the Silver Lake JCT.].
Preliminary investigation revealed a silver Subaru WRX, operated by David Wright (57) of Oakland CA, was traveling south when it crossed the center yellow line into the northbound lane. A northbound gray Kenworth, operated by William Roger (64) of Klamath Falls OR, attempted to avoid the Subaru but the vehicles collided head-on in the middle of the highway. The roadway was icy at the time of the collision.
David Wright sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. Both passengers of the Subaru, Matthew Wright (35) of Hayward, CA, and Rachel McIntosh (29) of Van Nuys, CA, were transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. William Roger had minor injuries.