Police Investigate Double Fatal Traffic Crash on Highway 22 near Dallas

OSP troopers from the McMinnville Area Command office are continuing the investigation. Roadway conditions were wet.

Photo courtesy: Oregon State Police

(DALLAS, Ore.) - Oregon State Police troopers are investigating a Sunday morning single vehicle fatal traffic crash on Highway 22 near Dallas that resulted in two deaths and four injuries, two of which are critical.

The car's driver, 19-year old Jose Ruben Pacheco, whose last known address in McMinnville, and 11-year old rear seat male passenger Geobanny Esparza, were ejected and pronounced deceased at the scene.

Neither was using safety restraints. The driver did not have a valid operator's license.

A 4-month old male infant identified as Erick Medina, was in an unbuckled car seat in the left rear seating area and was also ejected. The infant was transported by LifeFlight to Legacy Emanuel Hospital with critical injuries.

Twin 11-year old brother Jonathan Esparza, who was also seated in the rear area was transported by ambulance to Salem Hospital then transferred by LifeFlight to Legacy Emanuel Hospital with critical injuries.

Another rear seated unrestrained 14-year old male passenger, Brandon Exparza, was transported by ambulance to West Valley Hospital in Dallas with non-life threatening injuries.

The children's mother, 38-year old Cuzana Rubio Ruiz of McMinnville, was in the right front seat and was using safety restraints. She received minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to Salem Hospital. She was treated and released.

According to family members, the infant is the child of the driver and adult female passenger.

OSP troopers from the McMinnville Area Command office are continuing the investigation. Roadway conditions were wet.

OSP was assisted at the scene by Polk County Sheriff's Office, Dallas and Rickreall fire departments, and ODOT. Highway 22 was closed about 4 1/2 hours at the scene of the crash.

No other information being released at this time.