Police Investigate Fatal Traffic Crash on Highway 20 west of Burns

The victim was a member of the United States Coast Guard. He was in the process of transferring from his duty station in North Bend, Oregon to a duty station in Virginia.

Fatal crash near Burns, Oregon Photo: Oregon State Police

(BURNS, Ore.) - A 19-year old Boise, Idaho resident serving in the United States Coast Guard died late Monday evening or early Tuesday morning following a single-vehicle rollover crash on Highway 20 west of Burns. On December 29, 2009 at about 7:45 a.m. an Oregon Department of Transportation employee driving along Highway 20 near milepost 116 saw a crashed vehicle off the roadway. Upon checking the crashed vehicle it was discovered a deceased driver was still inside. Oregon State Police troopers investigating the crash reported a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta driven by 19-year old Ethan Gorringe of Boise, Idaho was eastbound negotiating a right-hand curve when it crossed both westbound lanes and left the highway. The vehicle rolled several times and came to rest on top of an embankment off the north highway shoulder. Mr. Gorringe was wearing his safety belt and the car's side airbags deployed. Mr. Gorringe was currently serving in the United States Coast Guard. He was in the process of transferring from his duty station in North Bend, Oregon to a duty station in Virginia. Family members last heard from him Monday evening, December 28th, when he left Bend for Boise, Idaho. Oregon State Police troopers from the Burns Worksite, assisted by an OSP Crash Reconstructionist from Lakeview, are continuing the investigation. Harney County Sheriff's Office, ODOT and Hines Fire Department assisted at the scene.