PHOTO COURTESY OF OSP
Oregon State Police are continuing the investigation into Wednesday afternoon’s fatal traffic crash on Highway 207 in Morrow County.
According to OSP Lt. Mike Turner, troopers from the OSP Hermiston and Pendleton offices responded to a reported fatal crash around 1:13 p.m. on Highway 207 near milepost 1 in Morrow County which blocked both north and southbound lanes of travel.
A preliminary investigation indicates a red, 2009 Honda Fit, operated by Neal Reau, 35, of Richland, Wash., was traveling southbound when, for an unknown reason, the vehicle failed to negotiate a curve and crossed into the northbound lane sideswiping a white, 2009 Chevy pickup towing a flatbed trailer. The driver of the Chevy pickup, Theadore Bither, 44, of Echo, was transported to the hospital in Heppner with minor injuries. Reau was pronounced dead at the scene.
The highway remained closed for approximately five hours while troopers investigated the crash and to allow for the removal of the vehicles.
An OSP collision reconstructionist responded to the scene to assist in the investigation.
Morrow County Sheriff’s Office, Morrow County Rural Fire Department, and The Oregon Department of Transportation assisted at the scene.
