OSP IDs 3 victims of NE Oregon train-SUV collision

Oregon State Police on Wednesday identified three people killed Tuesday afternoon when their SUV crossed into the path of a freight train and was struck in northeast Oregon.

The crash occurred shortly before 3 p.m. Tuesday south of Union in Union County, said Sgt. Kyle Hove.

OSP identified the three occupants of the blue 1998 Jeep Cherokee ans Forest Colpitts, 43, and Penny Jo Colpitts, 40, both of Union, and James Austin Johnston, 20, of Chiloquin.

“It is still undetermined who was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash,” Hove said.

Preliminary information indicated the Union Pacific train was heading east when, for unknown reasons, the Jeep heading east on Curtis Road turned left onto Miller Lane, into the train’s path, Hove said.

The train struck the Cherokee and all three occupants were thrown and pronounced dead at the scene, along with a dog also riding in the SUV.

Hove said the rural train crossing displayed crossing signs with a stop sign but did not have crossing gate arms. The train did not derail, he said, and no injuries were reported aboard the train.

OSP was assisted by the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Union Fire and Ambulance, La Grande Ambulance, and Union Pacific Railroad representatives.

This is an ongoing investigation, Hove said. and more information will be released when it becomes available