COOS COUNTY, OR - The Oregon State Police reports that on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at 12:27 p.m., OSP responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy-101, near milepost 243, in Coos County.
The preliminary investigation indicated southbound Honda HRV, operated by Richard Swartling (85) of Coos Bay, attempted to turn left onto Coos-Sumner Lane when it was struck by a northbound Range Rover Evoque, operated by Icel Marie Bair (45) of Nampa (ID), in a side impact collision.
The operator of the Honda (Swartling) was transported to an area hospital where they were later declared deceased.
The operator of the Range Rover (Bair) was seriously injured and transported to an area hospital.
The highway was impacted for approximately five hours during the on-scene investigation. The suspected cause of the crash is speed and impairment.
OSP was assisted by ODOT.
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About the Oregon State Police
Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that is charged with protecting the people, wildlife, and natural resources in Oregon. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon.
