PHOTO COURTESY OF OSP
An 80-year-old male was killed Monday morning in a multi-vehicle collision on Interstate 84 near Boardman.
The Oregon State Police (OSP) have not yet released the names of the motorists involved.
According to OSP Lt. Mike Turner, the accident occurred around 7:47 a.m. According to witnesses, an oversized heavy equipment load was being transported in the westbound lanes of Interstate 84 near milepost 165. The oversize load was escorted with support vehicles and a rolling slow down of traffic was being deployed to prevent traffic from moving past the group of vehicles.
A Ford Explorer pulling a travel trailer slowed and was struck in the rear by a 2012 Ford Mustang driven by Mitchell E. Davis, 27, of Mattawa, Wash. His 80-year-old grandfather, Melvin J. Mitchell, of Richland, Wash., was in the passenger seat. After the initial collision the Ford Mustang was disabled and stopped in the right westbound lane, according to the OSP.
Davis got out of the Mustang and helped his grandfather get out. As they were standing next to the car three commercial vehicles approached from the rear and weren’t able to stop. One commercial truck passed on the right shoulder. A second commercial truck passed to the left and the third commercial truck struck the Mustang and elderly Mitchel, resulting in fatal injuries.
After impact, the Ford Mustang spun into the second commercial truck before coming to rest in the westbound lanes.
Davis received minor injuries.
OSP troopers from the Pendleton Area Command office are continuing the investigation.
Assistance at the scene provided by Morrow County Sheriff’s Office, Boardman Police Department, Morrow County District Attorney’s Office, Boardman Rural Fire Protection District, Morrow County Ambulance, and Oregon Department of Transporation.
The westbound lanes have been re-opened.
