Crash Kills Motorcyclist in Yamhill County

The 75-year old rider was passing a vehicle when the crash happened.

Photo: Oregon State Police

(COVE ORCHARD, Ore.) - A Banks-area man died Sunday evening from injuries suffered earlier in the day when his motorcycle struck the side of a turning sport utility vehicle on Highway 47 in the town of Cove Orchard in Yamhill County.

Police say the four occupants in the sport utility vehicle were treated and released for minor injuries.

Sunday at around 1:00 PM, a GMC Denali sport utility vehicle towing a 25-foot RV trailer operated by 34-year old Ryan Spang of Cornelius, was southbound on Highway 47 near milepost 31 being followed by a witness in a passenger car.

Spang signaled to turn left onto Graham Road and began to make the left turn as a southbound Harley Davidson motorcycle began to pass the witness and GMC. As Spang was turning left, the motorcycle crashed into the GMC's left front driver's side.

The motorcycle operator, 75-year old Delmar Lawrence Jepson of Banks, was thrown from the motorcycle and came to rest approximately 75 feet from the point of impact in a yard next to a residence. Mr. Jepson was wearing a protective helmet.

Delmar Jepson was treated at the scene by local medical and fire personnel, and then transported by LifeFlight helicopter to Oregon Health Sciences University where he died at 6:00 PM.

Spang, his wife, 29-year old Miashawnte Spang and two children, ages 9 and 6, where using safety restraints and received minor injuries. They were transported to Providence Hospital in Newberg where they were treated and released.

Oregon State Police troopers from the McMinnville Area Command office are continuing the investigation.