Man Seriously Injured in Crash with Commercial Trucks

Neither commercial driver was injured.

Photo: Oregon State Police

(KLAMATH FALLS, Ore.) - A Klamath Falls-area man was seriously injured and his 6-year old daughter received minor injuries Wednesday night when their pickup was struck by two commercial trucks on Highway 97 in Klamath Falls.

Following over two hours of extrication efforts by firefighters, the seriously injured man was removed from his pickup.

The highway was closed over 5 hours because of the crash and rescue efforts.

Police say the crash happened at approximately 7:25 PM when a southbound commercial truck driven by 33-year old Juan Rojas Linares of El Cajon, California, lost control on an ice-covered bridge on Highway 97 near milepost 275 and crossed the centerline where it collided with a northbound 2005 Dodge Ram pickup driven by 35-year old Scott Michael Nieman of Klamath Falls.

Moments after the initial crash, a northbound commercial truck driven by 69-year old Robert J. Wanker of Redmond, lost control and was unable to stop as it came upon the crash scene where it collided with the left rear of the Dodge pickup causing minor damage.

Nieman was seriously injured and trapped in his pickup. Klamath County Fire District #1 personnel responded to the scene and worked for nearly 2 1/2 hours to extricate Nieman.

During extrication, a surgeon was summoned to the scene to assess the seriously injured man's condition. Nieman was transported to Sky Lakes Medical Center for treatment.

Nieman's 6-year old daughter was seated in the right rear passenger area and received minor injuries. She was also transported to Sky Lakes Medical Center.

Neither commercial driver was injured.

Oregon State police troopers from the Klamath Falls Area Command office are continuing the investigation. Assistance at the scene also provided by Klamath Falls Police Department and ODOT.