Oregon crash deaths jump 13 percent from year ago

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – The number of people killed in fatal crashes in Oregon has gone up by 13 percent from last year.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reported Thursday that the total number of deaths on city streets, freeways and county highways was driven up this summer by one of the deadliest crashes in recent state history.

Eight people died this August in a head-on crash in Harney County. Several other multiple-vehicle crashes also took place this summer.

Troy Costales with the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Safety Division says there were 12 more fatal crashes than last year by this time, and the number of people killed has increased by 37.

The fatality increase comes as more people are moving to Oregon, while the number of Oregon State Police troopers patrolling the highways remains lower than in 1980.