Oregon State Police troopers from the Pendleton Area Command are continuing the investigation into a fatal traffic crash that occurred early Sunday morning.
On Sunday, April 26, at approximately 2:13 a.m., troopers from the Pendleton and La Grande Offices responded to a reported motor vehicle crash on Interstate 84 near milepost 238.
Preliminary investigation revealed a 2003, Chevy Tahoe, was traveling eastbound near milepost 238 when the vehicle lost control and traveled through the median where it struck a guardrail then rolled over, coming to rest on its top blocking both westbound lanes of travel. The operator of the Tahoe, identified as Steve Gardner, 60, of Cove, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other vehicle occupant, Bryan Yeager, 53, of Elgin, was transported via air ambulance to Kadlec Medical Center in Washington with critical injuries.
Both occupants were wearing seat belts at the time of the collision and icy conditions are being investigates as a contributing factor in the crash.
The highway remained closed for approximately four hours while Oregon State Police Collision Reconstructionists assisted in conducting the investigation.
