KLAMATH COUNTY, OR - Oregon State Police report that on Sunday, February 2, 2025, OSP responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 97 near milepost 249 in Klamath County.
The preliminary investigation indicated that a green Ford Expedition, operated by Wyonna Elaine Weiser (38) of Chiloquin, was traveling southbound on Hwy. 97 when it slid sideways into the northbound lane, striking a white Ford F-350 towing a horse trailer operated by Franklin Scott Maricle (31) of Bend. During the crash, the F-350 struck the Expedition on the side. The Expedition came to rest in the northbound ditch and the F-350 came to rest blocking most of the highway.
Two of the Expedition's passengers, Winnie Mae Hescock (41) of Klamath Falls and Laurice Lee Foster (41) of Chiloquin, were pronounced deceased at the scene.
The operator (Weiser) of the Expedition was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries.
A passenger, Wauseka Brown Jr. (56) of Chiloquin, of the Expedition was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries.
The operator (Franklin Maricle) of the F-350 was not injured.
Passengers Scott Nile Maricle (58) of Bend and Janelle Marci Maricle (32) of Bend of the F-350 were not injured.
Two male juvenile passengers, 21 months and 13 months, of the F-350 were not injured.
The highway was impacted for approximately one hour during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
OSP was assisted by Chiloquin Fire and Rescue and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
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About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU)
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon's highways. The team provides expertise in the documentation, investigation, and analysis of complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in the use of advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR-accredited collision reconstructionists, and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.
