Crash Kills Salem Woman on Highway 223 West of Dallas

Police aren't sure why a driver crossed the center line, causing head-on collision.

Photos of crash scene: Oregon State Police

(DALLAS, Ore.) - Police say a 24-year old Salem woman died and four others were seriously injured Sunday night in a head-on crash on Highway 223 near Dallas in Polk County. Oregon State Police troopers are continuing the investigation. Sergeant Corey Simons with OSP,says last night at approximately 8:34 p.m. a 1994 Hyundai Excel driven by 24-year o;d Rebecca Dunaway of Salem, was eastbound on Highway 223 near milepost 3.

Simons says for an unknown reason, a westbound 2002 Dodge Durango driven by 27-year old Barrett Overhoff of Dallas, crossed the double solid centerline and collided head-on with the Hyundai.

Ms. Dunaway was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Hyundai passenger, 18-year old Damon Wachtler of Keizer, was critically injured and flown by REACH air ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis. Both were using safety restraints.

Overhoff was transported by ambulance to Salem Hospital with serious injuries. Passengers 33-year old Jennifer Dobbins of Dallas, and a 3-year old girl, were also transported to Salem Hospital with serious injuries.

Dobbins was using safety restraints, and the child, whose name is not available for this release, was in a child safety seat. The Dodge's airbags did deploy.

OSP troopers from the Salem Area Command office are continuing the investigation into the cause of the crash. Alcohol is not believed to be a contributing factor. Polk County Sheriff's Office, Dallas Fire Department, SW Polk Rural Fire District and ODOT assisted at the scene. The highway was closed about 3 1/2 hours.