WASCO COUNTY, OR - On Friday, April 4, 2025, at 9:08 p.m., Oregon State Police (OSP) responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 97, near milepost 65, in Wasco County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a southbound Honda CRV, operated by Eduardo Enrique Aguirre (34) of Spokane (WA), attempted to pass a commercial motor vehicle in a no-passing zone and struck a northbound Volkswagen Atlas, operated by Eric Daniel Smidt (45) of Pendleton, head-on.
A passenger of the Honda, a male juvenile (7) was transported by lifeflight and later declared deceased. The operator of the Honda (Eduardo Aguirre) and a passenger, a male juvenile (4), were seriously injured and transported to an area hospital for treatment.
The operator of the Volkswagen (Eric Smidt) and passengers, Heather Marie Smidt (46) and a male juvenile (15) of Pendleton, were seriously injured and transported to an area hospital for treatment.
The highway was impacted for approximately five hours during the on-scene investigation. An unlawful pass is considered a primary cause of the crash.
OSP was assisted by the Wasco County Sheriff's Office and ODOT.
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