Head on Crash Kills Rider and Critically Injures Passenger

Investigators say it appears that speed may have been a factor in the collision.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Deputies in Marion County say a Gervais motorcyclist was fatally injured in a crash Saturday at 11:22 a.m. Marion County Sheriff's deputies responded to a vehicle collision at 1665 South Boones Ferry Road in North Marion County.

A motorcycle driven by 23-year old Sonny John Munkel of Gervais, collided with a Chrysler minivan driven by 23-year old Miguel Angel Ramirez of Salem.

Commander Kevin Schultz with the Marion County Sheriff's Office says Sonny Munkel sustained fatal injures at the scene. He says 23-year old Ashley Demotte-Nichols, a passenger, was thrown from the motorcycle and sustained critical injuries.

"She was transported to OHSU via Life Flight. Ramirez sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene," Shultz said.

He says the rider, "was traveling Northbound on South Boones Ferry Road passing vehicles when he collided head on with the mini van traveling in the southbound lane. It appears that speed may have been a factor in the collision."

This incident remains under investigation and it is undetermined at this time if there were any other factors that contributed to the collision.