Tacoma woman dies in Hwy. 58 crash near Willamette Pass

A Tacoma, Washington woman was killed and another resident was seriously injured in a single-vehicle crash Friday afternoon on Oregon Highway 58 near Willamette Pass, Oregon State Police reported.

OSP responded around 2:30 p.m. to the reported crash near milepost 52, about 17 miles east of Oakridge, troopers said.

A preliminary investigation indicated a grey 2016 Ford Focus driven by Kami Palmer, 35, of Tacoma, accompanied by passenger Frederick Larry, 41, was heading west on the highway.

Troopers said Palmer was executing a pass and for unknown reasons lost control of the car. which left the road and and crashed into a tree, coming to rest in the ditch.

Both occupants were taken by ambulance to PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend in Springfield. Palmer died of injuries sustained in the crash and Larry was being treated for serious injuries, troopers said.

Speed is considered to be a contributing factor in the crash, OSP said, and both occupants were wearing seat belts. OSP was assisted at the scene by ODOT, Crescent Fire and Rescue and Oakridge Fire and Rescue.