Police Say Man Killed Himself After Highway Crash

The crash and apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound happened on Highway 197 south of Maupin, Oregon.

Crash scene near Maupin, Oregon Photos: Oregon State Police

(MAUPIN, Ore.) - Oregon State Police troopers are continuing the investigation into the death of a Madras-area man who reportedly shot himself following a Sunday afternoon traffic crash on Highway 197 about eleven miles south of Maupin.

The deceased man had reportedly been involved in an argument with his girlfriend and was the subject of an attempt to locate out of the Madras area.

According to Oregon State Police Sergeant Pat Shortt, today at approximately 3:15 p.m. a red 1992 Ford F150 pickup driven by 24-year old Louis Donald Smith of Madras, was northbound on Highway 197 near milepost 52 at a high rate of speed when he failed to negotiate a left curve and crossed into the southbound lane.

Shortt says a southbound Ford Explorer driven by 39-year old Richard Paul of Redmond, Washington was southbound and slowed as it moved toward the right shoulder.

"The Ford pickup crashed into the Explorer nearly head-on," Shortt said.

"After impact the Explorer came to a stop off the highway and the pickup came to a rest in the southbound lane. Richard Paul was able to get out of his vehicle and check on his wife Wendy who is 40, and two boys, ages 7 and 4."

All had minor injuries and were later transported by a relative to Redmond, Oregon, Shortt said.

It is not known if they sought medical treatment later.

A man driving in the area stopped to help and approached the pickup to see if Mr. Smith was injured in the crash.

When the man got up to the pickup he noted there was a rifle inside and Smith made a threatening comment to him, so he retreated away from the pickup.

About five minutes later before emergency responders arrived Louis Donald Smith suffered a self inflicted gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced deceased by medical responders after they got to the scene.

Police say Mr. Smith was in possession of a .264 Winchester Magnum rifle.

Sergeant Shortt noted that an attempt to locate was forwarded earlier to area law enforcement agencies from Madras Police Department regarding Mr. Smith following an argument he had with his girlfriend during which he allegedly pointed a firearm at her.

There was also a report to Wasco County 9-1-1 shortly before the crash of a possible DUII driver northbound in the area of Highway 197 / Highway 97 involving a pickup matching the description of Mr. Smith's vehicle.

OSP troopers from The Dalles Area Command office are continuing the investigation with the assistance of troopers from the Madras work site and Madras Police Department.

The Wasco County Sheriff's Office, Maupin Ambulance, and ODOT assisted at the scene.

One southbound lane was closed during the investigation. The area was cleared by 6:45 p.m.