Fatal Crash Takes One Student's Life and Injures Three

The crash happened on Highway 7 about two miles north of Phillips Reservoir near Sumpter.

(BAKER CITY, Ore.) - Four Baker City High School students returning from an overnight spring break camping trip were involved in a single vehicle traffic crash Friday afternoon resulting in the death of one person and serious injuries to three others.

The victim is identified as middle rear passenger 17-year old Kayla Petty, from Baker City. One of three occupants ejected, she was pronounced deceased at the scene.

According to OSP Senior Trooper Jeff Spencer, on March 26, 2010 at approximately 1:22 p.m. a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder driven by 16-year old Kasey Knaus, from Baker City, was northbound on Highway 7 near milepost 36 entering a left curve when it drifted into loose gravel on the right shoulder.

Knaus attempted to correct the vehicle but lost control and subsequently rolled an unknown number of times before coming to rest on its wheels on the opposite of the guardrail. Three of the four occupants, including the driver, were ejected from the vehicle.

Left rear passenger 18-year old Jeffery Givens, from Baker City, was ejected and critically injured. Givens was initially transported to a Baker City hospital then taken by LifeFlight to St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho.

Right front passenger 15-year old Katirah Huff, from Baker City, was seriously injured and transported by ambulance to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Baker City.

Kasey Knaus received non-life threatening injuries and was transported by ambulance to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Baker City.

Both persons ejected from the rear seat were not using safety restraints. Use by the two other occupants is pending confirmation through the investigation.

OSP troopers from the Baker City and La Grande offices are continuing the investigation. Baker County Sheriff's Office, Sumpter Quick Response, Baker City Fire Department and ODOT assisted at the scene. The highway was closed about 90 minutes.

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September 25, 2010 5:24 pm (Pacific time)

dont worry kayla everone still thinks of you! :)

Anonymous April 1, 2010 5:51 pm (Pacific time)

Kayla everytime i think of you i think of your voice. i remember your 16th birthday it was so much fun! i miss you kayla. this all just seems like a bad dream that i can't wake up from. love you. i will never forget you. :(

Anonymous April 1, 2010 5:49 pm (Pacific time)

Kayla i miss you so much and everytime i think about you, i think about that cute lil voice of yours. i love you so much. i wanna cry sometimes but ppl make me feel like i can't. love you kayla petty

M. Parker April 1, 2010 1:29 am (Pacific time)

To me kayla was like an angel. With a smile that could light up a room full of dull people. When Ever its a Warm sunny day i will think of my Angel Kayla's Smile. Miss U and Love Ya Forever.

Laura March 31, 2010 8:38 pm (Pacific time)

Kayla Petty 01/09/1993-03/26/2010. Kayla was amazing, beautiful, full of life and could make anyone laugh. She is missed very much. Kayla brought so much joy to our life's, that big beautiful smile, and big heart. I wish there was more time for one last hug and just to tell her how much she was loved...... My beloved cousin Kayla, I hope we meet again, thank you for sharing your life with us we all love you so much. Good bye my Kayla Bug

Anonymous March 29, 2010 11:36 am (Pacific time)

Our hearts go out to all families involved. We did not walk in any of their shoes, so can't say who, what and why it happened, just keep them all in your prayers as it is tough times for all. Please pray for the children(they are to young to be going through this)they will always be their parents baby's not matter how old they are. Please do not put blame on any one person either as they don't need this either.

Brittany Copley March 28, 2010 6:29 pm (Pacific time)

Kayla,was my cousin but also like a little sister to she was such a good person always knew how to make people happy and did the crazist things but has a good time doing it. She didn't deserve this to happen to her at all we love you and miss you can't believe your accually gone.But for some reason god wanted her by him.R.I.P Kayla Petty Love the Copley Family

Cassidy Palmer March 28, 2010 12:07 pm (Pacific time)

Kayla was my sister. You are right, she didnt deserve this. She was the most amazing girl ever and she had a huge heart, loved everone, and always kept a smile on that sweet face of hers....i love you Kayla

Anonymous March 28, 2010 12:07 am (Pacific time)

kayla dident deserve this. none of them did. this all feels like a horrible dream and i just cant wake up, but i know ill get to see her again. we miss you so much, our lives will never be the same without you.

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Fatal Crash Takes One Student's Life and Injures Three

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