A woman was killed in a single-vehicle accident on Reith Road on Saturday morning, according to the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the sheriff’s office, operators of a passing train spotted a wrecked 2001 Jeep Cherokee in the roadway and reported it to the sheriff’s office around 7:16 a.m. When emergency personnel arrived, they found two females giving first aid to an injured female.
The sheriff’s office said the injured female was conscious and alert and on the exterior of the vehicle. The vehicle was resting on its top with the passenger side of the vehicle crushed inward. The Pendleton Fire Department responded to administer aid and transported the injured female from the scene by Life Flight to Kadlec Medical Center in Richland, Wash.
It was initially thought the female was the sole occupant of the vehicle, but as the vehicle was moved by a tow truck, a deceased passenger was located in the front passenger’s seat. Crash reconstruction determined that the vehicle was westbound on Reith Road near mile marker 16. It appeared the vehicle was attempting to negotiate a curve when it left the roadway and hit an out cropping of rock.
The vehicle then rolled and came to a rest in the center of the roadway. It is unknown how long the vehicle was in the roadway before it was seen by a passing train and reported to dispatch.
The crash is under investigation. The name of the deceased will be released once next of kin are notified.
