Dallas pair in motorcycle, sidecar killed on Hwy. 22W

(Update: Victims identified, more details)

Two Dallas residents riding in a motorcycle and sidecar were killed Thursday afternoon on state Highway 22W when they swerved to try to avoid hitting a deer and struck an SUV, Oregon State Police reported.

The crash was reported shortly before 1 p.m. on the highway near milepost 8 in Polk County, OSP Captain Tim Fox said.

A preliminary investigation found that the motorcycle with attached sidecar was heading east on the highway when it swerved into the oncoming lane to avoid the deer, colliding with a westbound Chevy Yukon, Fox said.

The man and woman on the motorcycle and in the sidecar died at the scene, while the Yukon’s occupants sustained minor injuries.

The crash and investigation closed Highway 22W for about 2 ½ hours, before the eastbound lane reopened.

OSP troopers on Friday identified the pair as motorcyclist John Weaver and sidecar passenger Laura Weaver, both 66 and of Dallas.

They also said the motorcycle was unable to avoid the deer and it was struck before the motorcycle went into the westbound lane.

OSP was assisted at the scene by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Dallas Police Department and ODOT.