Highway 20E, near Ontario
Friday morning
Two young Ontario, Oregon women were killed on Highway 20E near the Oregon/Idaho border this morning. The OSP said both might have survived the rollover but neither wore their seat belt. And for that both were ejected from the vehicle and were crushed by their rolling SUV. Kayla Gomez, 23 and Joanna Chaidez, 22 were pronounced dead at the scene. Alcohol is a suspected factor in the crash.
Meanwhile Oregon State Police statewide have kicked off the Memorial Day holiday weekend with targeted enforcement efforts today on Interstate 5 and Interstate 205. The enforcement efforts fall within the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign, May 23 – June 5. Increased enforcement efforts nationally and in Oregon are in effect as travelers begin their Memorial Day holiday weekend. The official Memorial Day holiday period begins at 6:00 p.m., Friday, May 27, and end at 11:59 p.m., Monday, May 30.
According to Trooper Andrew Goffrier, seven OSP troopers today focused enforcement efforts in a ten-mile stretch of Interstate 5 south of Salem, an area known for high traffic crash and high traffic volume rates. During a four hour period OSP troopers issued 48 traffic citations, including 44 speed-related citations, two for Following Too Close, and one for passing on the left shoulder. The highest noted speed was 93 mph. One suspect was arrested for DUII and Possession of a Controlled Substance and his passenger was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance. Troopers also issued 26 warnings.
During a 3-hour period Friday morning, three troopers assigned to the OSP Motorcycle Unit at the Portland Area Command office focused enforcement efforts on Interstate 205 in the Clackamas area issuing another thirteen citations for speed, safety belt, and other traffic violations.
Six people died in 6 separate fatal traffic crashes in Oregon during last year’s Memorial Day holiday weekend. Since 1970, nearly 260 people have died in Oregon traffic crashes over this holiday weekend. Approximately 54 percent of these fatalities were the result of alcohol-involved crashes.
Oregon State Police, Oregon State Sheriff’s Association, Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police, and ODOT urge everyone to play an important part in keeping our highways and city streets safe. Immediately report aggressive, dangerous and intoxicated drivers to OSP at 1-800-243-7865 or call 9-1-1.
