Three Oregon motorcyclists die in weekend crashes
Three motorcyclists were killed in crashes on Oregon highways over the weekend, Oregon State Police reported Sunday.
On Friday around 5:15 p.m., t roopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a motorcycle -vs.-pickup crash on state Highway 36 near milepost 7, near Mapleton.
A preliminary investigation found a 2004 Harley Davidson motorcycle was traveling eastbound when the operator, Michael Lucier, 56, of Swisshome, failed to negotiate a corner, crossed the center line and struck a 1999 Ford Ranger head-on.
Lucier was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Ford, Rodney Pruett, 23, of Florence was not injured.
There were intermittent lane closures on Highway 36 while the investigation was conducted. OSP was assisted by the Oregon Department of Transportation and Florence Police.
On Saturday, around 8 p.m., troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a single-vehicle crash on state Highway 46 at milepost 7 (the Caves Highway near Cave Junction).
The 911 caller, who was a passing motorist, reporting seeing a motorcycle partially down the embankment. The caller also reported the rider was not breathing. Emergency crews arrived on scene and pronounced the motorcyclist deceased.
A preliminary investigation revealed that a 2001 Triumph motorcycle operated by Patrick Michael Daley, 57, of Cave Junction, was eastbound on Highway 46 at milepost 7 when it left the roadway on a corner. The motorcycle struck a tree and the rider was thrown down the embankment.
Troopers said roadway evidence indicated excessive speed was a factor. Highway 46 was closed for about an hour during the investigation. OSP was assisted by the Illinois Valley Fire Department.
On Sunday, about 6:45 a.m., troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a truck-vs.-motorcycle collision on Interstate 5 at the 235 interchange (just north of Albany). Information received was that a the truck driver failed to remain at the scene and left the area.
Troopers said preliminary information indicated a 1995 Kenworth truck tractor towing a chip trailer had been traveling southbound on Old Salem Road. The truck began to make a left turn onto the I-5 southbound on-ramp, but turned in front of a northbound 1995 Kawasaki motorcycle.
The motorcyclist crashed as a result of the truck turning into its path. The rider, Kevin R. Argo, 39, of Lebanon was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency personnel.
The operator of the truck, Ruben L DeFoor, 79, of Albany, was later located and is cooperating with the investigation, troopers said.
The on-ramp was closed for several hours as the investigation was conducted. OSP was assisted at the scene by Albany Fire, Linn County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon Department of Transportation. This is an ongoing investigation. More information will be released when available, OSP said.
