Washington Man Killed Going Wrong Way on I-84

Two other people injured in the crash were taken to Portland hospitals.

Photo: Oregon State Police

(HOOD RIVER, Ore. ) - Oregon State Police are continuing the investigation into Tuesday morning's fatal traffic crash involving a wrong way driver in the westbound lanes of Interstate 84 east of Hood River.

There were no OSP troopers on duty at the time of the crash and they had to be called out from their residences to respond.

At approximately 4:03 AM a 1979 GMC pickup driven by 28-year-old Mathias McConville, from Wapato, Washington was eastbound in the westbound lanes of Interstate 84 near milepost 69 when it collided nearly head-on with a westbound 2006 GMC Yukon.

At the time of the crash the GMC Yukon had just begun to pass a commercial truck towing two trailers.

As the GMC Yukon was in the left westbound lane it collided with the wrong way GMC pickup and then was forced into one of the trailers towed by the commercial truck.

McConville was pronounced deceased at the scene. He reportedly was not using safety restraints.

The driver of the GMC Yukon, identified as 78-year-old John Clark, from Hillsboro, was seriously injured and was transported to Legacy Emanuel Hospital.

He was using safety restraints and his vehicle's airbags deployed.

The passenger of the GMC Yukon, identified as 60-year-old Harley Niemi, from Yacolt, Washington, was transported to Hood River Providence Hospital where he was treated and released for minor injuries. He was using safety restraints.

Oregon State Police troopers from The Dalles Area Command office are continuing the investigation.

A motorist reported the wrong way driver was eastbound in the westbound lanes about one minute before the crash occurred.

At this time there is no confirmation where the wrong way driver entered the eastbound lanes or if intoxicants are a contributing factor.

Assistance at the scene provided by Hood River County Sheriff's Office, Hood River Police Department, Wasco County Sheriff's Office, ODOT and local emergency responder personnel.

One lane was reopened about 6:15 AM and all lanes opened about 6:30 AM.