Head-on Collision Kills One Person South of Corvallis

Crash scene south of Corvallis Photo Courtesy: Oregon State Police

(CORVALLIS) - State troopers are continuing their investigation into a two-vehicle traffic crash Wednesday morning that resulted in the death of one man on Highway 99W south of Corvallis.

The person who died in the crash is 27-year old Robert L. Townes of Richland, Washington.

Around 9:00 AM, police say a 2001 Toyota Camry was southbound on Highway 99W near milepost 87 when it crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a northbound 1986 International truck towing a single semi-trailer.

After impact, both vehicles ended up in the ditch on the east side of the highway.

Investigators say Robert L. Townes died at the scene.

The operator of the truck, 35-year old Gary Burlington of Lebanon, was not injured.

The truck was loaded with 10,000 pounds of miscellaneous cargo. There was a small spill of diesel from one of the truck's fuel tanks.

Police say traffic was open to one lane of traffic shortly after the crash. One lane remains closed while the vehicles are removed, and traffic is being routed through the scene by the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Oregon State Police troopers from the Albany Area Command office are conducting the investigation. The Corvallis Fire Department, Oregon Department of Transportation, and Benton County Sheriff's Office assisted at the scene.