Oregon Couple Dies on Highway 97 After Clipping Semi Truck Trailer (PHOTOS)

The impact of the crash actually tore the trailer's rear dual wheels off.

Photos: Oregon State Police and Klamath Falls Fire Department

(KLAMATH FALLS, Ore.) - Police say a Keno-area couple were killed Tuesday morning on Highway 97 south of Klamath Falls in a collision between a commercial vehicle and sport utility vehicle. Oregon State Police Lieutenant Steve Nork says the crash happened today at approximately 11:12 a.m. as a 2004 Ford Explorer four-door driven by 65-year old Barbara Leona Boice of Keno, Oregon was southbound on Highway 97 near milepost 282.

Nork says that for an unknown reason, the vehicle traveled across the paved center median area in front of the Midland Rest Area and crashed into the rear dual wheels of a semi-trailer.

Nork says the impact of the crash actually tore the trailer's rear dual wheels off.

He says after impact the driver of the 2009 Freightliner truck, identified as 28-year old Gustavo Chang of La Puente, California, slowed to a stop with the semi-trailer's rear section sliding on the pavement. The Ford Explorer came to a stop in the middle of the highway.

Barbara Boice and her 70-year old husband/passenger, John Allison Boice II, were pronounced deceased at the scene. Nork says both were using safety restraints.

Chang and his passenger were not injured. Chang was using safety restraints and his passenger was in the truck's sleeper berth. They were driving for CRST Trucking transporting household goods.

Nork says OSP troopers from the Klamath Falls Area Command office are continuing the investigation.

California Highway Patrol officers, the Merrill Police Department, Klamath Falls Fire Department and ODOT assisted at the scene.

A Klamath Falls Fire Department helicopter assisted with taking aerial photos of the scene, one of which is included in this report.

Highway 97 re-opened about 4:15 p.m.