Fatal Traffic Crash - Highway 99W South of Monmouth

Update - Victim Identified

Photo: Oregon State Police

(Salem, Ore.) - Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into Tuesday morning's fatal traffic crash involving a horse on Highway 99W about 3 miles south of Monmouth in Polk County. A 30-year old male passenger from Dallas, Oregon and the involved horse were killed.

According to OSP Trooper Carlos Barrientos, this morning at approximately 6:20 a.m. a 1990 Acura Integra driven by Joshua G. Swindle, age 28, from Dallas, was southbound on Highway 99W north of Old Fort Road near milepost 67 when it encountered a horse in the traffic lane. The car's front right side struck the horse causing significant passenger side damage.

The car came to a stop on the right shoulder and the horse came to rest in the traffic lane deceased.

Passenger Jeffrey Matthew Collins, age 30, from Dallas, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Swindle was treated at the scene by medics for minor injuries and declined transport to a hospital. Both vehicle occupants were using safety restraints.

The horse's owner responded to the scene from a nearby residence and helped with its removal. Troopers will be conducting more follow up investigation with the owner to determine how and where the horse gained access onto the highway.

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

Polk County Sheriff's Office, Benton County Sheriff's Office, Polk County Fire Department, and ODOT assisted at the scene. Highway 99W was closed at the scene about 4 hours.

According to statistics from ODOT's Crash Analysis and Reporting Unit, between 2005 and 2009 there were 88 reported traffic crashes involving a horse on Oregon roads. Two were fatal crashes resulting in the death of two people. More than 90% happened during the hours of darkness.

Source: Oregon State Police