The Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into the cause of Thursday morning’s single-vehicle fatal traffic crash that occurred along the eastbound lanes of Interstate 84 about 12 miles east of Pendleton.
The victim’s name will be released after confirmation of next of kin notification.
According to OSP Sgt. Seth Cooney, a Umatilla Tribal police officer drove upon an unreported single-vehicle crash spotted in the darkness about 20 feet off the eastbound lanes of Interstate 84 near milepost 223 just after 5 a.m. The police officer confirmed there was an unresponsive adult male inside the extensively damaged 1990 Ford F250 pickup that was on its side at the base of a rock embankment.
Medical personnel responded to the scene and confirmed the 29-year old male driver was deceased. He was not using safety restraints.
OSP troopers from the Pendleton Area Command office responded to the scene to investigate. The actual time of the crash has not been determined.
The left eastbound lane was closed at the scene during the investigation.
OSP was assisted at the scene by Umatilla Tribal Police Department and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
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