Man Killed Monday In Highway 22 Crash East Of Salem

One person was taken Stayton Hospital, and another to OHSU via Air Ambulance.

The fatal accident was at milepost 20, heading east on Hwy 22 toward Detroit. Photo: OSP

(STAYTON, Ore.) - About 5:50 a.m. Monday, OSP received the report of an eastbound vehicle which could not stay within it's lane of travel on Highway 22 near milepost 19. The caller reported the vehicle was crossing over the centerline and the back into it's lane of travel.

Minutes later, OSP received another call that the vehicle of concern had been involved in a head-on crash on Highway 22 near milepost 20 (just west of Lyons).

Preliminary investigation revealed the vehicle of concern, a 1997 Acura coupe, crossed the centerline and struck a westbound 2000 Chevrolet Blazer head-on.

The driver of the Acura, 21-year old Richard J Beals, of Lyons was pronounced deceased on scene.

The driver of the Chevrolet, 36-year old Jessica M Lemmer, of Mill City, received serious injuries and was taken to Salem Hospital and then to Oregon Health and Science University by air ambulance.

Lemmer's passenger, 21-year old Kaitlin Mercer, of Mill City, was taken to Stayton Hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Highway 22 was closed for 3 hours with a detour established by the Oregon Department of Transportation. OSP was assisted by Marion County Sheriff's Office, ODOT, Stayton Fire and Lyons Fire and Rescue.

More information will be released as it becomes available as this is an ongoing investigation.

Source: OSP news release