OSP: Fatal Traffic Crash - Highway 199 north of Cave Junction

Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into Saturday afternoon's traffic crash on Highway 199 north of Cave Junction that resulted in the later death of a 42-year old Cave Junction woman. Any unidentified witnesses to the crash are asked to contact OSP.

According to Sergeant First Class Mark Byrd, on June 23, 2012 at approximately 6:30 p.m., a 1988 Ford Bronco driven by RALPH E. McCORNACK, age 44, from Cave Junction, was northbound on Highway 199 near mile post 27 when it veered across the centerline into the southbound lane.  A 2012 Dodge Avenger driven by NICOLE M. FARAR, age 31, from Castro Valley, California,  was southbound and swerved into the northbound lanes in an attempt to avoid a head-on collision.  The two vehicles collided passenger side to passenger side.

After the initial impact, the Ford Bronco lost control and rolled several times. Its passenger, MICHELE R. HEBDON, age 42, from Cave Junction, was transported by LifeFlight to Rogue Valley Medical Center in Medford.  She reportedly died of injuries sustained in the crash early Sunday morning.

McCORNACK was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Hospital in Grants Pass where he was treated and released.

FARAR and her passenger, MATT BRIDGES, age 36, from Castro Valley, was evaluated on scene by paramedics but declined transport.

Troopers on scene were able to determine through their investigation that McCORNACK and HEBDON were not using seatbelts. FARAR and BRIDGES were using seatbelts.

OSP troopers from the Grants Pass and Central Point Patrol offices are continuing the investigation. OSP is requesting anyone witnessing the crash to call the Oregon State Police Dispatch Center at (541) 474-3174. Senior Trooper Scott Holsworth is the lead investigator.

OSP was assisted at the scene by the US Forest Service, Josephine County Sheriff's Office, Josephine County District Attorney's Office, Illinois Valley Fire District, and AMR Ambulance personnel.

Photographs - Oregon State Police

Fatal Traffic Crash - Highway 238 east of Murphy in Josephine County

RACHEL KELLY GREENTREE

Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into a late Saturday night single vehicle fatal crash on Highway 238 four miles east of Murphy that resulted in the death of a 19-year old male.

The driver and another passenger received non-life threatening injuries. Both were treated and released from a hospital after which OSP arrested the car's driver on multiple charges including manslaughter and DUII. Alcohol is a contributing factor and OSP urges drivers to have a designated driver today - Super Bowl Sunday - which is one of the nation's most dangerous days on the road due to impaired driving.

On February 4, 2012 at approximately 10:58 p.m., OSP was notified of a single vehicle motor vehicle crash on Highway 238 near milepost 8. Medical responders arrived on scene approximately five minutes later and discovered one deceased person lying in the roadway.

Initial investigation indicates a 1999 Saturn driven by RACHEL KELLY GREENTREE, age 18, from Grants Pass, was eastbound on Highway 238 near milepost 8. The car traveled off the right side of the roadway where it collided with a dirt embankment. The vehicle rolled, eventually coming to rest on its wheels on the left hand shoulder of the highway.

GREENTREE was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Hospital in Grants Pass for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. After release from the hospital Sunday morning, OSP arrested GREENTREE and lodged her in the Josephine County Jail on the following charges:

* Manslaughter in the Second Degree
* Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII)
* Reckless Driving
* Assault in the Third Degree
* Recklessly Endangering Another Person

Right front passenger JOHNATHAN STADER, age 18, from Grants Pass, was transported to Three Rivers Hospital where he was treated and released.

Rear seat passenger MAXX CHRISTOPHER, age 19, from Merlin, was ejected and pronounced deceased at the scene. He was not using safety restraints.

GREENTREE and STADER were using safety restraints.

The crash closed a portion of the highway for approximately three hours.

OSP troopers from the Grants Pass worksite and Central Point Area Command office, with the assistance of the Josephine County District Attorney's Office, are continuing their investigation into the cause of the crash.

OSP was assisted at the scene by ODOT, Josephine County Sheriff's Office, Rural Metro Fire Department and AMR Ambulance Services.

According to NHTSA, forty-eight (48) percent of fatalities nationwide on Super Bowl Sunday involve a driver or motorcycle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 percent or higher. In 2010, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities accounted for 31 percent of the total motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the United States.

Last year, two people died on Oregon roads following crashes after the conclusion of the Super Bowl football game. Both were in alcohol-involved traffic crashes. Over the last five years on Super Bowl weekend, 11 people have died in traffic crashes on Oregon roads.



Crash Scene Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

Grants Pass Public Safety NEW : In Car Camera