In Banks, Oregon, a crash involving a log truck and a pickup truck resulted in the death of one person.
The collision occurred early Monday morning on U.S. 26 between Banks and Manning.
According to Sgt. Kyle Hove of the Oregon State Police, a pickup driver was headed west, then drifted into the path of a log truck which was traveling eastbound.
The impact of the crash forced the log truck off of the highway and onto a nearby field. After the crash, the driver of the log truck was able to climb out of his cab. Officials found him resting on top of the spilled logs.
He was then airlifted to a trauma center.
His condition has not yet been reported.
The pickup hit the log truck head on, resulting in a mangled wreckage.
According to KGW, the pickup truck driver died in the crash, and his identity has not been released. Police stated that he was an adult male, local to the area.
Ambulances arrived and crews worked to clear the scene.
The highway was closed for several hours due to the crash.
Heavy trucks were instructed to use Highway 6 as a detour, and lighter vehicles used Sell Road.
Sgt. Bob Ray of the Washington County Sheriffs’ Office stated:
“It’s unusual for someone to cross over the line like this on a straight stretch so it could have been sleepiness, we really don’t know at this time; it’s still under investigation; it could have been many factors.”
Officials are continuing to investigate the crash and the reason why someone might drive into oncoming traffic.