Hwy. 26 crash near John Day kills Portland man

A Portland man was killed Tuesday afternoon when his car rear-ended an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife worker’s pickup truck on Highway 26 just west of John Day in Grant County, Oregon State Police said.

Around 4:25 p.m., a 2012 Ford F450 four-door pickup driven by an ODFW was heading eastbound at about 55 mph on Highway 26 near milepost 159 when it was struck from behind by a 1958 Chevrolet two-door driven by George James Raeburn, 69, of northeast Portland, troopers said.

A preliminary investigation indicates the Chevrolet was traveling at a high rate of speed when it crashed into the back of the ODFW vehicle, troopers said.

An OSP trooper arrived on scene, removed Raeburn and began emergency medical care until medics arrived. Raeburn was taken by ambulance to Blue Mountain Hospital in John Day, where he was pronounced dead after arrival.

Troopers said Raeburn was not using a lap seat belt installed in the car.

The ODFW worker, Scott Powell, 48, of John Day, and the two men riding with him were not injured. They were wearing seat belts, troopers said, and the pickup had minimal rear damage.

OSP troopers from the John Day work site are continuing the investigation. Speed and alcohol are being investigated as contributing factors. Senior Trooper Cody Weaver is the lead investigator.

OSP was assisted at the scene by Grant County Sheriff’s Office, John Day Police Department, and ODOT. One lane was closed for over two hours.