The Oregon State Police are continuing the investigation into the suicide of a commercial truck driver at the Deadman’s Pass rest area near exit 228 on Interstate 84.
On June 19, 2015, at about 9:48 a.m., the Oregon State Police Southern Dispatch Center received notification that a commercial truck had been located at the eastbound Deadman’s Pass rest area for about five hours. Another driver stopped and checked the commercial truck, located a suicide note, and called police.
Oregon State Police troopers from Pendleton responded to the rest area. They were contacted by a subject who was geocaching in the area and located the deceased truck driver approximately 100 yards from his truck in a wooded area. Evidence at the scene and evidence discovered during the death investigation were consistent with suicide as the cause of death.
The deceased was is a 51-year-old truck driver from Twin Falls, Idaho. The investigation is still continuing by the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office.
Help is available for community members struggling from a mental health crisis and/or suicidal thoughts. Suicide is preventable. If you or someone you know needs help with suicidal thoughts or is otherwise in an immediate mental health crisis, please contact your local crisis help resources.
In addition to local resources in your community, a toll free line is available for Oregon Partnership Lifeline/National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
