A 10-year-old Hermiston boy has died from injuries suffered in a three-vehicle accident on Christmas.
The Umatilla County Sheriff’s office confirmed the death of 10-year-old Anthony Jiovanni Guizar, a young resident of Hermiston, due to injuries sustained in a multiple-vehicle crash that occurred on Dec. 25 along Umatilla River Road outside of Hermiston.
The Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office and Umatilla County Fire District #1 initially responded. The scene required a concerted effort from multiple agencies including Oregon State Police, Hermiston Police, Umatilla Police, and Stanfield Police. The collision involved three vehicles, resulting in nine individuals being affected, most with critical injuries, including five children.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the tragic sequence of events unfolded when a 2008 Honda Accord operated by Raileen Cook, 23, of Hermiston, traveling southbound, collided with a 1998 Honda Civic driven by Brittni Mendoza, 24, of Hermiston, which was heading northbound. The impact was substantial, subsequently leading to a 2005 Pontiac driven by Misti Whibeck, 47, of Hermiston, striking the Honda Civic while attempting to avoid the Accord. The driver of the Accord is suspected of impaired driving.
The 2008 Honda Accord driven by Cook had two additional passengers – Cook’s sons, ages 3 and 5. All three occupants sustained injuries.
The 1998 Honda Civic driven by Mendoza had four additional passengers, including her 19-month-old daughter, and her sister, Jennika Mendoza, 25, of Hermiston, with Jennika Mendoza’s 6-year-old daughter and son, Anthony. All occupants received significant injuries, with Anthony’s injuries being fatal.
Misti Whibeck was the sole occupant of the 2005 Pontiac. She was interviewed and released at the scene of the crash, with no reported injuries at the time.
Anthony Guizar, despite receiving medical care at Legacy Randall’s Hospital for Children in Portland, Oregon, succumbed to his injuries on December 30, 2023.
The investigation into the accident remains ongoing.
So sorry to hear about this tragic and horrible accident, my condolences to the family, My heart is sad, just to think about it, Old river road needs a major lift, it will continue to be one of the deadliest road in Umatilla county. Alcohol kills 450.000 people every year and roads are not safe. Almost compare to 101 Oregon Coast, and hwy 97 in Central Oregon.