Two killed in Hwy. 22 head-on crash near Stayton

Two people were killed and two others seriously injured Tuesday evening in a head-on crash on state Highway 22 near Stayton in Marion County, Oregon State Police reported.

Around 7 p.m., a 2003 Dodge Durango driven by Erin L. Long, 18, of Jefferson, was eastbound on Highway 22 near milepost 16 when a westbound 2008 Kia Spectra driven by Nicholas Adam Baker, 27, of Salem, crossed the center line and both vehicles collided head-on in the eastbound lane, troopers said.

BAKER and his female passenger, Deza Rae Byro, 20, from Salem, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Long and passenger Chelsie Anna Merrie Neeper, 19, from Aumsville, were seriously injured and taken by ambulance to Santiam Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, troopers said.

OSP troopers from the Salem Area Command office are continuing the investigation, troopers said, adding that “alcohol is being investigated as a possible contributing factor” in the crash.

All occupants are believed to have been using safety restraints. Trooper Nick Rhoades is the lead investigator.

OSP was assisted at the scene by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Stayton Police Department, Stayton Fire District, Sublimity Fire District, Marion County Medical Examiner, and ODOT.

The highway was closed with a detour in place for about three hours.