PHOTO COURTESY OF OSP
An Oregon man involved in a rollover accident in Pendleton on Sept. 3 has died, according to the Oregon State Police.
Gary Elkins, 42, of Stayton, died on Sept. 6 while being treated for his injuries at Oregon Health and Science University. Elkins had been ejected during the crash.
The accident took place around 2:30 p.m., near exit 209 in Pendleton when a tire on a 1995 Ford Explorer blew out, leading to the rollover.
Among the seven people in the vehicle were three who initially fled the scene, according to the Oregon State Police.
The driver of the Explorer has been identified as Margarito Martinez-Sauceda, 58, of Pasco, Wash. Martinez-Sauceda was initially transported by ground ambulance to St. Anthony’s Hospital then transferred by air ambulance to Kadlec Medical Center in Richland, Wash.
Elkins, was ejected from the vehicle coming to rest in the westbound lanes of I-84. He was initially transported by ground ambulance to St. Anthony’s Hospital then transferred by air ambulance or OHSU.
Occupant Clifford Steeley, 43, of Adams, was ejected from the vehicle coming to rest in the center median. Steeley was transported by air ambulance to St. Mary’s Hospital in Walla Walla, Washington.
Occupant Patsy Elkins, 40, of Echo, was transported by ground ambulance to St. Anthony’s Hospital.
Occupant Vanessa Medelez, 32, of Hermiston, left the crash scene on foot and was transported to St. Anthony’s by private vehicle. Medelez was treated and released at the Hospital and subsequently taken into custody on an outstanding warrant for a probation violation. She was lodged at the Umatilla County Jail.
Witness and passenger statements indicate two other adult male occupants were in the vehicle at the time of the crash and fled the crash scene. Investigators are working to confirm the identity of the two occupants who fled the crash scene on foot. One of the male adult occupants who fled the crash scene is believed to be wanted on an outstanding warrant.
