Pendleton man dies in Hwy. 97 Wasco County crash

(correcting hometown in third graf, make of car in fourth)

A Pendleton man was killed Saturday when the car in which he was a passenger crashed as hail fell on U.S. Highway 97 in Wasco County, Oregon State Police said.

Troopers and emergency workers responded around 5 p.m. to the reported single-vehicle crash on Highway 97 near milepost 50, about six miles north of Shaniko, said OSP Lt. Cari Boyd.

The crash killed Shawn Campbell, 39, of Pendleton, one of three people in the car, Boyd said.

A preliminary investigation indicated the driver, Tiarra Burnette, 40, of Pendleton, was heading north at the wheel of a white 2012 Kia Optima when hail began to fall and she lost control of the car.

The car fishtailed, struck an embankment and overturned, coming to rest on the driver side, Boyd said.

Campbell, the rear passenger, was pronounced dead at the crash scene. Burnette and the right front passenger, Joseph Perilli, 28, also of Pendleton, were not injured.

OSP was assisted by Wasco County Sheriff’s Office and Sherman County Fire & Rescue. All occupants were wearing seat belts Boyd said.