PHOTO COURTESY OF OSP
Five people were injured – one seriously – Thursday morning in a four-vehicle accident on Highway 11 north of Pendleton.
According to the Oregon State Police (OSP), a 2010 Buick Enclave driven by Kari R. Wilson, 51, of Helix, was northbound on Highway 11 around 7:20 a.m. when it traveled into the southbound lane and struck the left side of a 1997 Ford F-350 pickup driven by Klause Hoehna, 61, of Weston. The initial impact caused the Ford pickup to go off the highway and roll at least once.
The Buick continued northbound and collided nearly head-on with a 2000 Honda Civic driven by Henry Becerril, 24, of Milton-Freewater. The Buick then collided nearly head-on with another southbound vehicle, a 2009 Mini Cooper driven by Raul Marroquin, Jr., 36, of Walla Walla. The Buick came to rest on the Mini Cooper’s hood off the side of the highway.
Becerril was transported by LifeFlight to Providence St. Mary Medical Center and then transferred to Oregon Health & Science University in Portland with serious injuries.
Wilson and a 7-year old child passenger were transported by ambulance to St. Anthony Hospital with minor injuries.
Hoehna was also transported by ambulance to St. Anthony Hospital with minor injuries.
Marroquin was transported by ambulance to Providence St. Mary Medical Center with minor injuries.
All occupants were using appropriate safety restraints.
OSP troopers from the Pendleton and Hermiston offices responded to the scene to investigate the cause of the crash. No enforcement action taken at this time.
OSP was assisted at the scene by Umatilla Tribal Police Department, Pendleton Ambulance, Umatilla Tribal Ambulance, LifeFlight and ODOT.
Highway 11 was closed at the scene for over four hours.
