PHOTO COURTESY OF OSP
The driver of a passenger car was killed Wednesday afternoon when it slammed head on into an oncoming semi-truck on Westland Road west of Hermiston. The victim’s name has been withheld pending confirmation of identification.
The Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into Wednesday afternoon’s fatal traffic crash. The accident occurred around 1 p.m. when a female driver of a 2007 Nissan Altima four-door attempted to pass another vehicle while traveling southbound on Westland Road. The Altima collided head on into a Freightliner semi-truck loaded with onions traveling northbound near Ternes Lane and driven by Rafael Muniz Sanchez, 37, address unknown. Both vehicles caught on fire after coming to a rest off the southbound shoulder. The fire, according to the OSP, spread to a nearby field. Both vehicles had extensive damage.
Sanchez was able to get out of his truck and was treated at Good Shepherd Medical Center for minor injuries. The driver of the Nissan Altima was pronounced dead at the scene. Hermiston Fire & Emergency Services responded and put out the field fire.
Along with Hermiston Fire & Emergency Services, the OSP was assisted at the scene by the Umatilla County Road Department.
