‘Life has to go on’: Grieving husband remembers wife after tragic fatal car crash in Terrebonne
(UPDATE: Adding video, comments from husband)
TERREBONNE, Ore. (KTVZ)-- Daniel Perrine is remembering the legacy of his wife Becka, who tragically died in a crash last week
"She had so many stories, so many jokes, so many laughs. Life had to go on. And that's the worst part of all this. Life has to go on. And I hate that part," said Perrine. "To say this is horrible is an understatement. Never once did I expect I would ever be widowed."
On December 27th, Postmaster and La Pine woman Rebecka Ann Perrine lost her life after being struck head-on, by an oncoming driver last week. Perrine was driving back to La Pine from her job as postmaster in Terrebonne. Residents are now urging ODOT to step in, to prevent more lives from being lost.
The driver remains in fair condition at an area hospital.
Residents in Terrebonne remember Perrine as a light in the community. Outpouring support for the family can be seen on social media from all of Central Oregon.
"My wife was just full of love. She loved every one. It truly was a privilege to know her," her husband added.
But the heartbreaking loss is reminding local drivers of the dangers of Highway 97
"I drive it, I hold my breath every time," said resident Ryan Enders.
Nicknamed 'death row' drivers say the stretch where Perrine died, beginning from O'neill Highway to Terrebonne, sees at least one fatality a year.
"You hear about the accident and unfortunately, death row, kind of comes up, which is a very good term. And it's just sad that nothing has been done to correct the problem," said Enders.
Kiesha Walters has lived in Terrebonne for 30 years, "I don't know what it's going to take or how many more fatalities we're going to have to see. Or maybe it'll be a certain person who has to pass away before it's brought to ODOT's attention. But it needs to get addressed."
In an email to NewsChannel 21, ODOT says reflective pavement markers and grooved patterns along the driving lanes have been added to the area late in 2024, and there are efforts to look into adding a median barrier in the future. But budgeting needs to be taken into account.
Daniel Perrine hopes the community will continue to remember his wife, "She left a legacy. People loved her. She loved people. That's how I want to remember her."
According to state data, from 2018 to 2022 97 fatalities occurred on Highway 97 out of the nearly 4,000 crashes.
ODOT gives mile-long segment scores on safety called SPIS scores. It's based on the frequency, rate, and severity of crashes occurring within each segment over a three-year period. This stretch of Highway 97 was rated 52 out of 100 in 2022.
