Marion County Sheriff's Deputy, Teen, Killed in Head on Crash

Deputy Kelly James Fredinburg joined the Marion County Sheriff's Office in August 2006.

Deputy Kelly James Fredinburg Photo: Marion County Sheriff's Office

(SALEM, Ore. ) - The investigation into the fatal head-on traffic crash involving a Marion County Deputy Sheriff Saturday night on Highway 99E north of Gervais is continuing.

Deputy Kelly James Fredinburg, age 33, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

One of the three occupants of the other vehicle died early Sunday morning at Oregon Health Sciences University.

The on scene investigation confirmed the impact occurred in the southbound lane.

Preliminary investigation by Oregon State Police, with the assistance of the Marion County District Attorney's Office and Keizer Police Department, indicates that at approximately 11:30 PM, Marion County Deputy Fredinburg was southbound on Highway 99E near milepost 36 responding to another department's call for assistance.

The Deputy had his marked patrol car emergency lights and siren activated and two other northbound vehicles had begun to pull to the shoulder to yield to the deputy's patrol car.

A third northbound vehicle, a 1998 white Ford Crown Victoria with three occupants, drove across the centerline into the southbound lane.

Both vehicles crashed head-on in the southbound lane then came to rest off the west side of the highway.

The Deputy's patrol car overturned and caught fire. The other vehicle did not catch fire.

State, county and local police agencies along with local fire personnel responded quickly to the scene.

The fire was eventually extinguished by Woodburn Fire Department.

Deputy Fredinburg was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Two occupants of the other vehicle were at the scene seriously injured.

Both were transported to Oregon Health Sciences University, one by LifeFlight air ambulance and one by ground ambulance.

One of these individuals, a 19-year old male, died at the hospital and the other, a 20-year old male, is in critical condition.

While investigators were at the scene they were notified that an injured person came into the emergency room at Salem Hospital.

An Oregon State Police trooper responded to the hospital and confirmed this person, a 24-year old male, was a third occupant in the involved vehicle.

His injuries are believed to be non-life threatening.

Confirmation of who was driving the northbound car is pending.

The Marion County District Attorney's Office has requested their identities be withheld pending further investigation.

Oregon State Police troopers and detectives from the Salem Area Command office are investigating the crash with the assistance of OSP collision recontructionists and the Marion County District Attorney's Office.

Marion County Sheriff's Office has activated their Critical Incident Trauma Team to assist their employees during this difficult time.

Deputies came to the scene and escorted the victim to a local mortuary.

Fredinburg joined the Marion County Sheriff's Office in August 2006. Prior to joining their law enforcement agency, Deputy Fredinburg worked six years for the Polk County Sheriff's Office as a corrections and patrol deputy.

An avid fisherman who loved his family, Deputy Fredinburg is married and has two daughters, ages 12 and 3.

Additional information regarding Deputy Fredinburg and any plans for upcoming services will be released through the Marion County Sheriff's Office.