PHOTO COURTESY OF OSP
Four people were injured, two reported critically, after a van pulling a trailer crashed and rolled down a steep embankment along the eastbound shoulder of Interstate 84 Monday morning about 18 miles west of La Grande. Oregon State Police (OSP) and other local emergency responding agencies are on scene.
One eastbound lane is now open following a temporary closure to allow an air ambulance to land and transport two people from the scene.
The Oregon State Police were notified around 7:40 a.m. that a van pulling a trailer crashed off the eastbound lanes of Interstate 84 near milepost 241. Initial information indicated that one person had died in the accident and was trapped underneath the vehicle. Emergency personnel, however, found the accident victim was still alive.
The van came to rest approximately 50 feet down from the freeway lanes.
OSP, Union County Sheriff’s Office, fire and medical personnel and ODOT responded to the scene. Four people, two by air ambulance and two by ground ambulance, were transported to hospitals. Seven other people were not taken to a hospital and arrangements are being made to transport them from the scene.
OSP troopers from Pendleton and La Grande offices are involved with the investigation. Additional details will be released later today.
