Oregon Groom on Honeymoon Dies From Car Striking Cow

The bride was able to remove her husband from the car with help from a passing motorist.

Salem-News.com

(BURNS, Ore.) - Tragedy struck a Nyssa-area couple returning home from their honeymoon Tuesday night. Police say the groom, 19-year old Ramiro Gonzalez, died when their car struck a cow in the highway, about 20 miles from Burns.

Police say the couple was returning from their honeymoon in Northern California just before 11:00 PM, eastbound when it collided with a cow on the highway. Preliminary investigation indicates that the eastbound 1997 Pontiac Grand Am driven by Mr. Gonzalez of Nyssa, left the north side then crossed over to the south side of the highway, went through a fence and caught fire.

Oregon State Police, Harney County Sheriff's Office and local emergency personnel responded to a reported crash involving a car fire off Highway 20 near milepost 153.

Ramiro Gonzalez's wife, 18-year old Italia Gonzalez was asleep in the rear seat at the time of the crash. She was able to get out of the car and help remove her husband with help from a passing motorist. Italia Gonzalez was transported by ambulance to Harney District Hospital in Burns for treatment of minor injuries.

Ramiro Gonzalez was transported by air ambulance to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend. He reportedly died from injuries the morning of July 4th.

Both were using safety restraints.

The cow died as a result of the collision.

Burns Fire Department responded and extinguished the car fire.

Senior Trooper Alan Johnson from the OSP Burns work site is completing the investigation. Assistance at the scene provided by Harney County Sheriff's Office, Burns Police Department, Hines Police Department, Burns Fire Department and ODOT.