News Release from Oregon State Police
On September 14, 2016 at about 5:15AM, OSP Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a two vehicle fatal crash on Highway 140 E at milepost 2.5 (2 miles east of Lakeview).
According to Sergeant First Class Proulx, Preliminary investigation revealed a 1956 Peterbilt log truck was traveling westbound on Highway 140 E behind a 1979 Kenworth log truck. The Peterbilt truck caught on fire when coming down the hill and ran into the back of the Kenworth causing both vehicles to drive off the roadway, losing their load of logs onto the roadway.
The driver of the Peterbilt, Douglas McClain, age 60, of Lakeview, was pronounced deceased on the scene. The driver of the Kenworth, Brenton Cannon, age 66, of Lakeview, was not injured and remained on scene to assist.
The highway was closed for about 2 hours and is currently open to one lane with a pilot car until the logs can be removed. The driver of the Kenworth was wearing his seatbelt and it is unknown if the driver of the Peterbilt was at this time.
The contributing factors into the crash are still under investigation. OSP was assisted by Lakeview Fire Department, Lakeview Sheriff's Office, Thomas Creek Fire Department, US Forest Service Law Enforcement, Lakeview Disaster Unit and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
