Fatal Traffic Crash Near Mill City, Oregon

A witness told police that the Toyota pickup was unable to avoid the Isuzu Rodeo after it "jerked" into the westbound lanes.

Salem-News.com

(MILL CITY, Ore.) - One person has died and two others were injured in a head-on crash Wednesday Evening on Highway 22 in Mill City.

At about 6:10 PM on Wednesday, a 1999 Toyota Tacoma pickup driven by 51-year old James Kline, from Gates, was westbound on Highway 22 near milepost 29 when it was struck head-on by an eastbound 1995 Isuzu Rodeo driven by 30-year old John Eric Young, from Bend. A witness told police that the Toyota pickup was unable to avoid the Isuzu Rodeo after it "jerked" into the westbound lanes.

Mr. Kline was transported by LifeFlight to Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland. He reportedly died from his injuries early Thursday morning while undergoing treatment.

A female passenger in the pickup whose name is not available at this time was transported by ambulance to Santiam Hospital with minor injuries.

Mr. Young was transported by LifeFlight to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.

Safety restraint use information is not available.

Oregon State Police troopers from the Salem Area Command office are continuing the investigation into the cause of the crash. ODOT and local emergency responders assisted at the scene.