COLUMBIA COUNTY, OR - The Oregon State Police (OSP) reports that on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 4:53 a.m., OSP responded to a three-vehicle crash on Hwy 30, near milepost 24, in Columbia County.
The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Toyota Supra, operated by Gerald George Rood (82) of Warren, attempted to make a U-turn and enter the westbound lane. The Toyota blocked the westbound lane during the U-turn and was struck by a westbound Chevrolet 3500, operated by Clifford James Scott Jr (55) of Scappoose, in the passenger side door. The collision cause the Chevrolet to cross into the eastbound lanes where it struck an eastbound Subaru Forester, operated by Fernando Sajid Ortega Baca (25) of Deer Island, nearly head-on.
The operator of the Subaru (Ortega Baca) was declared deceased at the scene.
The operator of the Toyota (Rood) suffered reportedly minor injuries.
The operator of the Chevrolet (Scott Jr) and passenger, Trisha Marie Talent (55) of Forest Grove, suffered reportedly serious injuries and were transported to an area hospital.
The highway was impacted for approximately five hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is considered to be an unsafe U-turn and the the investigation is on-going.
OSP was assisted by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Scappoose Fire and EMS, and ODOT.
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About the Oregon State Police
Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that protects Oregon's people, wildlife, and natural resources. 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.
