Skip to Content

CLATSKANIE, Ore. (KTVZ) – A National Guard member from Texas was killed Sunday evening in a crash on U.S. Highway 30 while a military convoy was stopped to address a technical issue, Oregon State Police reported.

The crash was reported around 6:25 p.m. north of Portland, near milepost 60 in Columbia County, troopers said.

A preliminary investigation indicated a military convoy was heading west on the highway and had pulled over on the westbound shoulder “to address an unknown mechanical issue,” OSP said in a news release.

A Humvee-style vehicle associated with the convoy but heading east stopped in the passing lane, and two Guardsmen got out to help the convoy, troopers said.

Guard member Gonzalo Martinez III, 29, of Cleveland, Texas, was struck by an eastbound Chevy pickup driven by a 72-year-old Clatskanie man who also was traveling in the left lane, OSP said. The pickup then crashed into the stopped Humvee.

Gonzalez and the pickup driver were taken to St. John’s Hospital in Longview, Washington.

Troopers said Martinez was pronounced dead at the hospital, where the pickup driver remained in stable condition.

The crash and on-scene investigation closed the highway for about six hours. OSP said the cause of the crash was under investigation.

Article Topic Follows: News

Jump to comments ↓

Author Profile Photo

Barney Lerten

Barney is the Digital Content Director for KTVZ News. Learn more about Barney here.

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KTVZ is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.