One Dead, Two Injured in Oregon Hwy. 18 Crash

For an unconfirmed reason, the Ford Escort crossed the centerline and collided with a westbound Mercedes sport utility vehicle occupied by two people.

Oregon State Police are continuing the investigation into Monday night's two vehicle fatal traffic crash that occurred on Highway 18 about seventeen miles east of Otis in Polk County. Photo Courtesy: Oregon.gov

(OTIS, Ore. ) - Oregon State Police are continuing the investigation into Monday night's two vehicle fatal traffic crash that occurred on Highway 18 about seventeen miles east of Otis in Polk County.

According to Lieutenant Justin McGladrey, at approximately 11:16 p.m., a 1997 Ford Escort was traveling eastbound on Highway 18 near milepost 18.

For an unconfirmed reason, the Ford Escort crossed the centerline and collided with a westbound Mercedes sport utility vehicle occupied by two people.

The Ford Escort was split into two sections and both vehicles caught fire.

The two occupants of the Mercedes got out of the Mercedes on their own and were later transported by ground ambulance to Salem Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

They are identified as male driver 52-year-old Amnata Ratsasck, and female passenger 48-year-old Nelavahn Bounketh, both from Happy Valley.

The fire also spread to the side of the highway. The fire to both vehicles and along the highway was extinguished by responding firefighters.

OSP troopers from the Newport Area Command office are continuing the investigation.

OSP was assisted at the scene by Polk County Sheriff's Office, West Valley Fire District, Sheridan Fire District, Polk County Medical Examiner, Polk County District Attorney's Office, and ODOT.

Source: Oregon State Police