Victim Identified in Fatal Crash on Highway 22E Near Detroit

Police say the highway was well sanded at the time of the collision and excessive speed is a possible factor, but a driver who passed through the area right after the crash told shady areas were covered with black ice.

Photo of scene: Oregon State Police

(DETROIT, Ore.) - We reported yesterday that a woman was killed in a two-vehicle head-on crash on Highway 22E about six miles east of Detroit. The woman involved in that 2:26 PM crash has been identified as 42-year old Cynthia Lee White of Redmond.

Investigators say she was driving her 1988 Ford Mustang eastbound on Highway 22E near milepost 59 negotiating a right curve she apparently lost control and crossed the center line where the car crashed head-on with a westbound 1998 Toyota Avalon on the westbound shoulder.

Ms. White, who police say was driving with a suspended license, was pronounced deceased at the scene. She was using the car's seat belt and shoulder strap.

The Toyota's driver, 62-year old Roger McJunkin and his passenger, 61-year old Sandra L. McJunkin, both of Bend, received non-life threatening injuries and were transported to Santiam Hospital in Sayton. Both were using safety restraints.

Police say the highway was well sanded at the time of the collision and excessive speed is a possible factor.

But a driver who passed through the area right after the crash says the road was actually covered with black ice in the shaded spots. We've asked Oregon State Police to explain more about the road conditions that potentially led to this unfortunate incident.

Oregon State Police troopers from the Salem Area Command are continuing the investigation. One lane was opened about 3:45 PM and the highway completely cleared about 5:00 PM.

The Marion County Sheriffs Office and ODOT assisted at the scene.