PHOTO COURTESY OF OSP
A Hermiston man was killed Saturday evening when his vehicle was struck by a semi-truck on Highway 207.
According to the Oregon State Police, a 2010 Chevrolet Traverse, driven by Richard Dean Cox, 24, of Hermiston, was struck by a northbound commercial truck and trailer. The commercial motor vehicle, a 2012 Kenworth with trailer, was operated by Harvey S. Hass, 62, of Umatilla.
Cox was transported by medics to Good Shepherd Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Hass was not injured in the collision.
Preliminary information indicates Cox pulled into a private drive on Highway 207 near milepost 5 and then backed out to change its direction of travel. As Cox backed onto the highway, it was hit on the driver’s side by the truck. Both vehicles came to rest partially in the northbound lane and partially on the northbound shoulder. The northbound and southbound lanes were closed for approximately two and a half hours until both vehicles were removed and the highway was opened for normal use.
Jerome Martel Price, 30, of Hermiston, was a passenger in Cox’s vehicle and left the scene prior to police arrival. He was later contacted and interviewed at Good Shepherd Medical Center while seeking medical treatment. Information as to why Price left the scene was unavailable.
OSP was assisted at the scene by Hermiston Fire and Ambulance, Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office and ODOT.
