Hermiston Firefighter Dies in Motorcycle Accident

Hermiston Fire & Emergency Services are mourning the death of one of their own.

Volunteer firefighter Jason Anteau, 43, died Friday night in a motorcycle crash in Pendleton. Anteau was an employee of the Oregon Department of Transportation and a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician since 2007.

In a touching tribute to Anteau, Hermiston fire personnel escorted the body from Pendleton to Hermiston as police cleared traffic. Hermiston fire engines lined the street as the procession came through Hermiston. A video of the procession can be found on YouTube.

The accident occurred when a pick-up truck crossed in front of Anteau’s motorcycle and collided with him. A police investigation into the accident is continuing.

Anteau was born in Dearborn, Mich., but was raised and attended school in Eastern Oregon. He worked for Marlette Homes in Hermiston, and later was a wildland firefighter for 1-A Construction & Fire and a partner with Columbia River Builders for 10 years. He went to work for the Oregon Department of Transportation in Hermiston in 2010 and transferred to Heppner in 2013 where he was currently an area coordinator. He also served on the Oregon State Haz-Mat team.

Riding motorcycles was a passion of Anteau’s. He was vice president of the East Desert Diamondbacks chapter of the Iron Order motorcycle club.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the Hermiston High School Commons.

Read his full obituary online.