PHOTO COURTESY OF OSP
[quote style=”2″]Woman Seriously Injured in I-84 Crash Near Pendleton[/quote]
Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into an injury crash Saturday evening on Interstate 84 near milepost 206.5 and are asking for the public’s help in locating one of the vehicles involved.
At approximately 6:22 p.m., OSP Southern Command Center (SCC) was notified of a motor vehicle fire at milepost 206.5. Upon arrival, troopers discovered a 2002 Mitsubishi Montero SUV with heavy front-end damage that had caught fire and burned. The car’s driver, identified as Shelly Whittaker, 29, of Portland, had extricated herself from the vehicle then collapsed beside it with serious injuries. Passers-by who stopped to help performed CPR on Whittaker until she was transported to St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton by ambulance.
The front passenger, identified as Tuesday Hailey, 35, of Hillsboro, was also able to remove herself from the car and received a non-life threatening injuries. Further information on her medical status is not available at this time.
Seatbelt information is not presently available for either occupant.
Troopers believe the Montero may have rear-ended a semi-truck or other large vehicle prior to the crash. Heavy winds in the area may have prevented the truck’s driver from sensing the crash.
OSP is asking for the public’s help in identifying the semi-truck that was involved in this incident. Anyone travelling in the Pendleton area near milepost 206.5 (on the steep grade immediately west of Pendleton) who may have witnessed the rear-end crash but been unable to stop is asked contact Trooper John Juzuler 541-276-2121 (SCC) or 503-375-3555 (Northern Command Center).
OSP was assisted at the scene by the Pendleton Police Department, Pendleton Fire Department, Echo Rural Fire Department and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
