Man Dies While Attempting to Chain-up near North Powder

A truck driver was hit by a sliding car while he was outside putting on chains.

A fatal crash occurred on I-84 Westbound near milepost (MP) 281 near North Powder. Photo: OSP

(BAKER, Ore.) - On January 31, 2016 at 8:30 AM a fatal crash occurred on I-84 Westbound near milepost (MP) 281 near North Powder.

The preliminary investigation indicated 50-year old Igor S. Nikolaychuk, from Vancouver, Washington was outside his semi-tractor/trailer in the process of chaining up near the left rear axle of the trailer.

Authorities day 21-year old Mckenna Hamilton, from Star, Idaho was operating a 2007 Cadillac westbound when the vehicle began to slide sideways on the highway. The driver's side front bumper struck Mr. Nikolaychuk, pushed him underneath the trailer, and he was pronounced deceased at the scene.

At the time of the crash, the roads were icy and it was foggy. The visibility had been reduced to 1/4 of a mile due to the fog.

Hamilton was wearing her safety belt and the driver's side air bag deployed. The highway was reduced to one lane but remained open for travel.

OSP was assisted by ODOT, Union County Sheriff's Office, Baker County Sheriff's Office, and North Powder Rural Fire.

Source: News Release from Oregon State Police