Pickup flies off Hwy. 58; Oakridge man dies

A 61-year-old Oakridge man was thrown and killed Wednesday evening when his pickup truck left state Highway 58 east of Oakridge, went airborne over Salt Creek and landed on the opposite side, Oregon State Police said.

Around 7:30 p.m., a 2005 Dodge R250 pickup driven by Ronnie Lee Sieben was heading east on Highway 58 near milepost 38, about two miles east of Oakridge, troopers said.

For an unknown reason, as the pickup entered a left curve, it traveled straight off the highway and went airborne over Salt Creek, troopers said.

The pickup landed on the opposite side of the creek, where Sieben was thrown onto the ground. It came to rest on its wheels in the water, troopers said.

Sieben, who was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene, troopers said.

OSP troopers from Oakridge and Springfield offices are investigating. Senior Trooper Ron Martin is the lead investigator.

OSP was assisted at the scene by the Oakridge Police Department, Oakridge Fire & EMS, ODOT, and a Bend police officer traveling through the area.

The pickup remained in the creek overnight and is scheduled to be removed today.