Three Injured in Hwy 34 Crash Thursday

Highway 34 was closed in both directions for about 40 minutes to allow LifeFlight to land, load the patient, and then depart

2002 Saturn ended up partially submerged next to the highway. Photo: OSP

(LEBANON) - Three people, including two teenagers, escaped without life-threatening injuries Thursday following a two-vehicle crash on Highway 34 about 1/2 mile east of Interstate 5. Both vehicles ended up partially submerged in water bordering the highway.

Officials say that on November 16th, at about 7:17 AM, a 2002 Saturn four-door driven by 17-year old Nichelle Fandino, from Albany, was stopped at a stop sign on 7 Mile Lane with the intersection at Highway 34.

The Saturn pulled across the two westbound lanes to head eastbound when it was struck in the driver's side by a westbound 2001 Dodge Dakota pickup. After impact, both vehicles eventually came to rest in water bordering the highway.

Fandino, who was using safety restraints, was entrapped in her car with serious non-life threatening injuries. She was extricated by personnel from Albany and Tangent fire departments, then transported by LifeFlight to Oregon Health Sciences University.

The passenger in the Saturn, 16-year old Leah Fandino, was removed from the car by a passing citizen. She had also been using safety restraints and was transported by ambulance to Corvallis Good Samaritan Hospital with minor injuries. She reportedly has been released.

The pickup's driver, 42-year old David Torrance, from Lebanon, was using safety restraints and his vehicle's airbag deployed. He was transported by ambulance to Albany General Hospital with minor injuries.

Highway 34 was closed in both directions for about 40 minutes to allow LifeFlight to land, load the patient, and then depart.

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