13-year-old boy dies, six others injured in Douglas County crash

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A 13-year-old boy was killed and six other people were injured Friday afternoon in a head-on collision on Highway 38 in Douglas County, according to the Oregon State Police.

The crash occurred at approximately 1:38 p.m. near milepost 27. A preliminary investigation indicated that an eastbound yellow 2021 Ram 2500 pickup towing a 17-foot boat crossed the centerline and struck a westbound 2012 Ford F350 pickup head-on.

The driver of the Ram, Jason Dean Paden, 63, of Portland, suffered serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Two passengers in the pickup, including a 14-year-old female, were also hospitalized with serious injuries.

The driver of the Ford, William Everett Ratledge, 56, of Oakland, was taken by Life Flight to a local hospital. Two juvenile male passengers in the Ford were transported to a hospital with injuries, while a 13-year-old male passenger was pronounced dead at the scene.

Highway 38 was affected for approximately 5 hours while emergency responders worked at the scene and officers conducted an investigation. State police were assisted by Lower Umpqua Ambulance, Umpqua Valley Ambulance, Elkton Fire and Rescue, Scottsburg Fire and Rescue and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Investigators are asking anyone with information about the crash or who may have observed the yellow Ram pickup and boat prior to the collision to contact state police dispatch at 800-442-0776 or *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone, referencing case number SP26-273676.