Prineville man killed in fiery head-on collision with semi-truck on Highway 97 in Sherman County

MORO, Ore. (KTVZ) – A 23-year-old Prineville man was killed late Monday night when his car crossed into the oncoming lane of US Highway 97 in Sherman County and struck a semi-truck, sparking a fire that engulfed both vehicles, Oregon State Police said Wednesday.

Troopers responded around 11:45 p.m. to the head-on crash near milepost 47.

A preliminary investigation found that Jayden Matthew Smith of Prineville was driving a Volkswagen Beetle heading north when he crossed into the southbound lanes for unknown reasons.

Smith’s car struck a Volvo commercial motor vehicle and trailer driven by a Tacoma man head-on, OSP said. The crash caused both vehicles to catch fire and become engulfed.

Smith died at the scene, troopers said. The semi driver was unhurt.

The crash and investigation affected highway traffic for about 6 ½ hours.

OSP said it was assisted at the scene by the Sherman County Sheriff’s Office and ODOT.