Nearly 100 vehicles were involved in a pileup on Interstate 84 between Pendleton and La Grande early Monday afternoon, causing numerous injuries and closing down the interstate.
The Oregon State Police were first notified of reports of several crashes around 12:20 p.m. The initial crash involved numerous vehicles between milepost 229 and 230. According to the OSP, responding troopers were notified of additional crashes as they were heading to the scene. Once at the scene, troopers reported hearing more crashes taking place behind them.
(SEE ALSO: CREWS WORK THROUGH NIGHT TO CLEAR I-84)
The OSP said the initial scene showed multiple vehicle crashes along an approximately one-mile stretch, involving both passenger and commercial vehicles. The largest crash, according to the OSP, involved between 15-20 cars and trucks. The early estimation is that as many as 98 vehicles crashed in the area.
Emergency medical responders from the surrounding areas dispatched medical and fire personnel to the scene to treat and transport patients. The total number of injured is unknown at this time.
More than a dozen agencies responded to the scene. The Umatilla County Emergency Operations Center has been activated for this incident.
Uninjured persons who could not drive from the scene due to blockage or damaged vehicles were transported to the Pendleton Convention Center. Emergency responders are asking that only persons needing to pick up family members come to that location.
I-84 is closed eastbound and westbound to all traffic in eastern Oregon. Eastbound is closed between Exit 216 (six miles east of Pendleton) and Exit 265 (La Grande). Westbound is closed to between Exit 374 (Ontario) and Exit 216. The westbound freeway is closed at Ontario due to limited parking space in Baker City and La Grande. Local traffic may be able to access the westbound freeway between Ontario and Baker City to get home (check for more information by clicking the closure icon on TripCheck.com). This is expected to be an extended closure lasting all night for westbound freeway and several hours for eastbound freeway. Continue checking TripCheck.com for update conditions or call 511 or 800-977-6368. Outside Oregon, call 503-588-2941.
